Knowledge is an important factor for the stimulation of innovation and with that for the increase of the tourist sector’s quality and sustainability. For this reason, HZ University of Applied Sciences and NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences developed the Research Centre for Coastal Tourism. The research centre is supported by the subsidy programme 'Pieken in de Delta'. The Research Centre for Coastal Tourism combines the forces of governmental bodies, educational institutions and entrepreneurs. Knowledge is not only developed, but also exchanged and applied.
About us
Knowledge circulation
For the innovative potential of touristic entrepreneurs, access to existing knowledge in the branch is of crucial matter. The Research Centre for Coastal Tourism makes sure this knowledge is circulated. With this website and a large amount of publications of the research centre, relevant information of the work field and theory is gathered, made accessible and distributed. The Research Centre for Coastal Tourism also organizes a large number of meetings between entrepreneurs, the government and educational institutions. Above all the circulation of knowledge of the touristic branch is created through the touristic education institutions of HZ and NHTV. After all, the educational institutions are responsible for delivering ample qualified staff to entrepreneurs in the tourist sector.
Knowledge creation
Besides using the existing knowledge in the touristic branch for stimulating innovation, it is necessary to cover new topics. This is mostly the territory of the associate professorships: the research groups of HZ and NHTV that connect education, the actual practice and applied research. The expertise of the associate professorships has many linkages with the domain of (coastal) tourism. With this newly created knowledge, the touristic entrepreneur is supported in making choices of innovative matter.
Network
Our region, Southwest of the Netherlands, is not the only region focusing on innovation in tourism. In other places in the Netherlands, Europe and worldwide, knowledge institutions, governments and entrepreneurs are working on mapping knowledge topics that will contribute innovation. Knowledge that exists and is developed elsewhere, must be opened up to the Southwest of the Netherlands. For this reason the Research Centre for Coastal Tourism cooperates with other fields of expertise and participates in knowledge networks - on a regional-, national- and international level.
