After ten years of preparations, we succeeded. The Belgian-Dutch Geopark Schelde Delta has officially received the UNESCO Global Geopark quality mark. UNESCO thus underlines that the Scheldt Delta estuary is unique in geological, cultural-historical and landscape terms and of great value.
Cross-border
Five provinces (Zeeland, North Brabant, Antwerp, East and West Flanders) have collaborated across borders and took the initiative ten years ago to qualify for the quality mark. Today, we collaborate with more than 60 municipalities, knowledge institutions (such as HZ and NIOZ-Yerseke), museums (such as Flood Museum and Terra Maris) and tourist organizations. Taken together, this concerns about 150 organizations.
An area full of stories
The region is full of stories; not only about the landscape, but also about the history in which the water and the Delta play a special role. These types of stories often form the basis for tourism development plans. The challenge: “How do you bring all those stories together into a clear whole for the stakeholders that continues to express the versatility of the area, but also clearly highlights the connection? By creating a well-thought-out framework of storylines that symbolize the movement in the area and stimulate awareness among residents and visitors: the Geopark Schelde Delta storylines.”
There are already various tourist and recreational attractions that tell part of the story. Consider, for example, museums, tangible and intangible heritage, waterworks, walking and cycling routes and visitor centers.
More about the storylines in the Scheldt Delta Geopark
Provinces see recognition as a starting point for new developments
Deputy Wilfried Nielen of the province of Zeeland is happy with the recognition. “Absolutely, we are giving our children something important for the future. Namely that history is protected, that you must continue to seek connections and be careful with what you come from. It is an important signal for future generations.”
Kathleen Helsen, Antwerp representative for European cooperation: “This recognition gives initiatives for research, nature and landscape management and sustainable tourism in our region even more opportunity for additional investments and European projects.”
More information: www.scheldedelta.eu/nl