Quality as a success factor: Tourism Day Münsterland networks the region

MÜNSTER/MÜNSTERLAND. "In terms of tourism, things have been going well in Münsterland for many years, as can be seen from the steadily rising number of overnight stays. Since 2018, however, we have statistically recorded stagnation. That's why we need to step up our efforts, network better and explore new avenues," said Michael Kösters, General Representative at Münsterland e.V., today at the Münsterland Tourism Day. Together with the North Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the DEHOGA Westphalia e.V., the association had invited tourism stakeholders in the Münsterland to a large-scale exchange in bar camp format under the motto "Quality as a Success Factor".

Around 80 participants took advantage of the offer and came to Harbourside Münster. Represented were tourist information offices from the Münsterland, hotels and other hospitality businesses as well as providers from the leisure sector. At the beginning of the event, they voted on the topics of the individual sessions. Such diverse impulses as online marketing, the quality of castles and palaces, picnics or the marketing of the winter season in the Münsterland met with great interest. In all twelve sessions there was lively discussion, solutions were sought and many new ideas were developed.

"We wanted to get a picture of where the players' shoe pinches, how tourism in Münsterland is currently positioned and where there is a need for improvement. In the area of digitalisation, for example, there was a great deal of interest in further training or qualification," Michael Kösters emphasised. Another topic was the new brand "MÜNSTERLAND. THE GOOD LIFE. was also a topic. "So far, the region's new corporate design has been well received. Especially with our brand theme Picnic³, many tourist businesses find points of contact."

Renate Dölling, Managing Director of the DEHOGA Münsterland office, added: "Through the discussions and information during the bar camp, the participants networked and exchanged ideas. This is often the beginning of great cooperations, for example between different tourism businesses. The tourism industry is much more open to connecting and cooperating than its reputation."

Joachim Brendel, Head of the Trade, Transport and Infrastructure Division at the North Westphalia Chamber of Commerce and Industry added: "Tourism is and remains a growth industry with many positive effects that also radiate to other industries. That's why it's important to us that we continue to work together with the companies and other stakeholders in the region to develop the strengths of the Münsterland region in a sustainable way."

The cooperation, results and contacts that have been established can and should be continued via the new tourism e-platform. In addition to information on projects, trends and further training, www.touristiker-muensterland.de also offers a protected area where tourism professionals can network and exchange ideas on individual topics in groups and forums.

The Tourism Day Münsterland was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the project "Quality Management in the Münsterland Destination".