City, countryside, waterway: Neueswied emphasizes culture, environment, and water transport
Neuwied Sets Sail on Tourism Renovation: Overhaul Process Nears Completion in One Year - Eleven Crucial Steps Pinpointed
Ready to set sail on a fresh chapter of tourism development, the city of Neuwied is all systems go! After some rigorous work and collaborative brainstorming, the city council is set to vote on a comprehensive tourism strategy in an upcoming assembly. "With this strategy, we're paving the way for a remarkable transformation within Neuwied's tourism landscape," beams Mayor Jan Einig.
River Sojourns High on Agenda
A significant aspect of the strategy is the rejuvenation of river-based tourism. "From the get-go, it's been apparent that we can and should cultivate the perfect atmosphere to swing open Neuwied's riverfront to tourism once more," reports tourism guru Lena Hoover, who boarded Neuwied's shores a year ago and led the strategy's conception.
City marketing is engaging with prospective hotel boat operators, while Neuwied's daughter company, Stadtwerke Neuwied (SWN), focuses on creating essential day-tourism infrastructure. The ultimate goal: Presenting Neuwied as an enticing tourism destination for cruise passengers and creating an enduring economic boost via tailor-made offerings, like special events excursions.
A Royally Clear Vision and Forward-Thinking Measures
The strategy underwent extensive collaboration between residents, local figures, and industry experts. Workshops, consultations, and surveys provided priceless insights into Neuwied's fortés, flaws, and untapped potential.
The strategy revolves around five guiding principles:
- Digital fortification: From hassle-free online bookings to virtual experiences.
- Family fun all around: A rich tapestry of activities appealing to people of all ages.
- Culture made tangible: Spectacular events and historical landmarks.
- Network, network, network: Joint promotion and development among regional partners.
- Strategic branding: From infrastructure to quality control.
"Neuwied packs a powerful punch in presenting itself as a rejuvenating escape packed with unique cultural experiences and a family-friendly ambiance," stresses Julia Kloos-Wieland, head of city marketing.
Target audiences earmarked for attention include:
- Culture devotees and landscape enthusiasts.
- The "Multiply Active" (mostly families).
In addition, the "Active Nature Appreciators" and the travel industry have been identified as potential secondary targets to be won over with specially tailored offers.
A total of 11 key measures and 59 supplementary supporting measures and projects have been proposed to amplify tourism in Neuwied. Apart from the restoration of river tourism, the "Event Weekender" with shuttle buses circling discovery points is another projected initiative. Nifty package deals "A Weekend in Neuwied" will be designed as well.
Many auxiliary projects accompany these grand schemes, some of which are already underway. For instance, a podcast series about Neuwied is due for release this spring. Monthly "Culture and Leisure Days" with a city shuttle are in the pipeline. A fashionable visitor magazine, providing an array of leisure, cultural, and accommodation information, is on track to replace the current directory next year.
The eleven key measures:
- Channeling river tourism in Neuwied
- Establishing tour bus stops and parking areas
- Investigating the expansion of existing accommodations
- Blooming the dyke crown
- Navigating tourists from the city center to the city's attractions with clear signage and interactive, entertaining elements
- Staging an "Event Weekender" through shuttle buses, including activations at key points of interest (such as Monrepos, Zoo, Deichwelle, etc.)
- Readying target group-specific, captivating promotional materials for "A Weekend in Neuwied," "24 Hours in Neuwied," "An Afternoon in Neuwied," and so forth
- Pooling and prepping offers thematically and for specific target groups
- Organizing tourist data for digitalization: Licensing, open data, staff training, and ongoing data management
- Complying with the requirements of the regional tourism organization, Romantic Rhine Tourism GmbH, and fostering united marketing and communication efforts
- Institutionalizing cooperation among city's tourism players
- The strategy seeks to elevate Neuwied's tourism appeal by transforming its home-and-garden landscapes into attractive destinations for cultural travel.
- As part of the tourism renewal, the city plans to promote river-based travel not only for cruise passengers, but also for travelers with interests in home-and-garden, travel, and cultural-travel.
