There is no better way to learn than visiting the places where the action is. Global tourism development is rapid and dynamic. Let’s go discuss with the shapers, visit innovative new concepts and projects and get a first hand feeling and understanding of the site. Our input is the dough to create management concepts that suit all palates and bring out visions for a better future.

Paris is bigger than intra-muros, the inner city. The greater region is expected to expand the tourists attraction area by adding new sights and POIs and live-connect them with excellent public transport. But how to cope with the private rental challenge resulting from the sharing economy that converted entire arrondissements into tourism only locations? Classic hotel industry in the meantime is re-inventing itself: by highlighting eco as well as by opening up the restaurant for short-term shared office layouts. How this transformation is perceived by locals, one of the Paris Greeters will tell us.

The European Capital of Brussels is a perfect learning site for the power of policy. We discuss sustainable tourism development and the impact of regulations with the European Commission. We have a look at the advocacy perspective by meeting the European Travel Commission, the association of Europe’s National Tourism Organisations. And we learn about ways how to establish a Tourism for All: after all, Flanders Tourism is a front-runner in accessible travel.

Few places face more tourism pressure than Amsterdam‘s City Center. And hardly any are more rigorous and brave when it comes to putting locals first. The Dutch capital has declared a war on overtourism and we learn how and why. We are shown around the (in-)famous Red Light district by former drug addicts, who know the place from times, when not even the police dared to walk in. We roam around conversion zones with pop-up projects that blend sustainable tourism with local development initiatives. The city’s image of a perfect hub for start-ups and digital nomads reflects in the ultra-creative co-working spaces and hipster hotels. How to cope with visitor management can be seen by assessing the digital tools applied by the top sights as well as by discussions with the visionaries that are now building the New Holland theme park on the outskirts of town.

Filling three to four days with constant input includes much more than the few examples given above: new restaurant concepts, hidden markets and off-side attractions, special interest stakeholders …

If you are interested to go the described places or having a look at hotspots like Berlin or Vienna, please contact me to discuss details.