Tourism and recreation in the Dunes of Texel (Dutch Wadden Island)

Tourism and Recreation

Forms of recreation
The most important forms of recreation in the Dunes of Texel are walking and cycling. Furthermore, there are horse riding tracks, a special route for mountain bikes, playgrounds, picknick places and barbecue places. On the beach people can fly kites. The Dunes of Texel are divided into several landscape units (see: Large variety in the dune landscape of Texel and Map of Texel). The form of recreation and the amount of use differ per unit (see: Recreational facilities per landscape unit).

The visitors
Many studies have been done about the tourists and visitors. How many people visit the island and the dune area, why do they come to the island of Texel, what are there expectations, how did they travel etc are questions that were investigated (see: Recreation research in the Dutch coast).

Zoning
On the island of Texel zoning is being used for the recreational use and the number of visitors in the dune area. The zoning is used to intensify or maintain the recreational use in the less vulnerable parts of the dunes, while the vulnerable parts are kept free of recreation. The principles of the zoning are:

Concentration of the bungalow parks (at the Cocksdorp, De Koog and the Slufter).
Protection of the vulnerable nature values (for example the breeding bird colonies).
Recreational values are defined by ‘tranquillity and rest’.

These principles also set the boundaries for the Management and Organisation Plan of the designated National Park (see: National Park ‘Dunes of Texel’). The status of National Park is not allowed to lead to increasing recreational pressure. This means the recreational use may increase in quality but the number of visitors must remain constant.

Facilities
The State Forestry provides several recreational facilities, for example picknick places, playgrounds and barbecue places. But they also maintain the path network in the dune area. There are different paths for every form of recreation. The walking routes are marked in the field by poles with a coloured top, except in the wooded areas. There are several kinds of walking routes. There are four colours that mark the routes:

yellow: walking path that runs from the dune area towards the beach
blue: circular walk
green: route that is open for public outside the breeding season
red: path with specific facilities, for example a nature path

The State Forestry also organises excursions into the dune area. There are ‘regular’ excursions and special thematic excursions. The State Forestry co-operates with the foundation Natuur Excursie Texel (TEN). This foundation carries out the excursions while the State Forestry provides for the information and the sale of the tickets for the excursions. In a year, more than 500 excursions are organised.

There are several look-out posts in the dune area. Important look-out posts are placed along areas that are not accessible for visitors, these look-out posts allow the visitors to get an impression of the area.

The State Forestry also creates facilities for wheel chair users. For example, there is a look-out post accessible for wheel chairs (Kampeersnol) and the nature path is very well accessible. There is a problem with the ‘normal’ walking paths. To avoid bicycles on these paths bicycle lock-gates are placed at the entrances.

Per landscape unit, depending on the recreational potential of the unit, the facilities differ (see: Recreational facilities per landscape unit).

Information and education
Information and education are important factors in tourism and recreation. Through information and education visitors can learn about the values and functions of the dunes and State Forestry can explain the value of their management and maintenance works.

EcoMare is the centre for the Wadden and North Sea on the island of Texel. The centre is situated in a 70 ha large Dune Park. It consists of a visitor centre and a museum with an extensive exposition, a seal and bird rehabilitation centre, a fieldwork centre and an information centre.
EcoMare hosts ca. 300,000 visitors per year.

There are several types of information provided to the visitor. It starts at the TESO boat towards the island. Infopanels are present, showing photographs of the island with good behaviour. On the island itself there are many brochures available, from the State Forestry, from EcoMare and from the VVV (Tourist Information). The brochures are written in three languages: Dutch, German and English. Most of the brochures are free. There is also no fee to enter the dune area.
In the field several information panels are present, giving information about the (local) rules and regulations, the flora and fauna, genesis of the landscape etc.
The residents of the island of Texel are involved through the media and participation procedures.

Rules and regulations
To prevent obscurity, the State Forestry has a set of general rules and regulations that are in force in all the areas they own. If separate rules and regulations apply, these are stated on information boards in the field (at the entrances). The general rules and regulations in the Dunes of Texel are:

There are different paths for every form of recreation; there are walking paths, cycling paths and horse-riding tracks, it is not allowed to use a specific path for other forms of recreation.
In the dune area walking is allowed only on the marked paths. Coloured poles mark the paths.
Dogs must be kept on a leash, except in the woodlands. However, in the woodlands the dogs must also stay on the paths. There are specifically marked areas where dogs may walk freely.

Furthermore, the ‘normal’ rules apply, like no fire, no music, only entrance during the day, etc.

The rules and regulations are supervised by the State Forestry. The amount of supervision depends on the season; in the high season there is always a ranger in the field.

Result
Tourism and recreation are important functions of the Dunes of Texel. Most of the visitors that come to the island come for the nature and for the tranquillity and space. These factors must be kept intact. The fact that the Dunes of Texel are designated National Park in formation means that recreational pressure is not allowed to increase but instead the quality of recreation and facilities should increase.

References:

Griffioen H.R.P. (1999) (Staatsbosbeheer) Rapportage recreatieonderzoek in Elswout en de Texelse Duinen 1998; Regio Noord-Holland, bureau Terreinbeheer. (33R2A1DR1999)
Staatsbosbeheer (1999) Het beheer van bos en natuur op Texel in 1997 en 1998, beheersverslag 1999-1; Regio Noord-Holland, district Texel. (33R2A1BN1999)
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