A week on Texel: we learned these 5 lessons about tourism on the island

1. Texel depends on tourism, it is economically profitable

80 percent of the islanders depend on tourism and, according to alderman Rikus Kieft, it is therefore an important sector that must be maintained. We also hear that from many islanders. Iwan Groothuis is director of De Krim, Texel’s largest recreation company with nine locations on the island. He thinks that the discussion about pressure based too much on emotion rather than facts. By spreading tourists better over the whole year and investing in parking spaces, the nuisance is limited and the island can earn from tourists all year round.

And that is important, according to Groothuis: “Staff now leave the island and go home in November. If they find a job on the mainland, they won’t come back. Retaining young staff is very important, because Texel is aging rapidly On the other hand, it is better for the economy on the island. We all have to keep things running together.”

According to alderman Kieft, balance is especially important. The island should absolutely not become a ‘jet set’ island: “We want to get things under control in time, not like Venice or Sylt, for example. With a view to the Tourism Future Plan, which is currently available for inspection, the island is on this moment at the beginning of the search for that balance,” said Kieft.

2. The influence of tourism on nature is not too bad, provided people follow the rules

According to Mariette Smit of Staatsbosbeheer, the influence of tourism on nature is relatively minor, because she says there is enough space. But that is only the case if tourists actually comply with the rules. That doesn’t always happen. In nature reserve De Slufter, Smit shows the influence of humans on nature: in addition to numerous poop bags and plastic packaging that she collects from the dunes, she also points out the hiking trails to our reporter Jurgen van den Bos. Many tourists would still like to see that one dune top, but then end up in inaccessible areas. This disturbs the peace of the birds.

Measures are being taken. Areas are cordoned off to ensure peace for the birds. Because those measures are not always observed, colleagues of Smit point her to the use of barbed wire, for example. She doesn’t want to let it get to that point. “Just take your junk with you,” said Smit.

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3. The island sometimes struggles to maintain authenticity

Preserving authenticity is very important for Texel residents, several groups such as Core Values ​​Texel are committed to this. A good example of what not to do is the German Wadden island of Sylt: ‘the Saint-Tropez of the Wadden’. NH traveled to the island, because this is the specter of Texel. Sylt is known for its endless beaches and nature, but original islanders are increasingly difficult to find because it has become unaffordable. Which is not so difficult to find: hotels and capital villas of between 7 and 12 million euros. These villas are often not inhabited, but are an investment for second home owners.

It is not that far on Texel yet. Yet islanders here also notice that the character is changing. Where people used to come camping for a few days with only their tent, the tourist now has many more requirements. Camping is no longer back to basics, but immersion in luxury. Pre-erected tents are ready with spread beds, a bathtub and other conveniences. If the tent has not already made room for a bungalow. And there immediately the next fear: petrification. Traditional camping pitches giving way to bungalows or hotels.

Texel fan Maarten van Rossem was critical this week about the growth of tourism on Texel. According to him, that has “partly screwed up” the island. He has seen the character of the island change: “Every time I am on the island, something has been added somewhere. Texel must stop granting building permits without restraint. Because then the goose with the golden eggs will be slaughtered. And then no one goes to Texel anymore.”

André van der Vliet of the Texel Core Values ​​working group traveled with NH to Sylt. According to him, Texel must ensure that the ‘big money’ does not get the upper hand. For Sylt this is too late.

4. Texel is not just as affordable for everyone

Guarding the authentic Texel costs money. Jan Willem Bakker is a sheep farmer on the Hoge Berg and sounds the alarm. He cannot make a living from keeping sheep, especially if he also has to maintain the special landscape. That’s why he welcomes tourists as an extra. He shows guests how things work on the farm. But is that enough? The sheep farmer asks for support from the municipality and entrepreneurs: “They use the image of the Hoge Berg to promote the island. Payments for the preservation of this landscape are only declining.”

There was also a warning from two original islanders of Sylt. According to Rosemarie and Ursula, the ‘real estate sharks’ have struck there and there is nothing they can do now. Rosemarie has no neighbors anymore, all houses are rented to tourists. Only one older lady lives around the corner, the rest of the residents are in nursing homes and no one comes back. Tourists sometimes don’t realize that Sylt is more than a holiday park. “Make sure social life on the island continues and your house remains affordable.”

5. In some places Texel is bursting at the seams, in other places you don’t see a chicken

Traffic expert Daniël van Motman sees that there are mainly peak moments when it comes to traffic on Texel. Especially at the TESO ferry, a traffic jam can occur. “You have to focus on those peak moments. It is important to spread both in time and locations. A tip is to inform people when the busy moments are.”

According to entrepreneur Koen Witte, there should be more focus on the places where Texel is bursting at the seams. According to him, the infrastructure, parking spaces, the flow of traffic and how the tourists spread should be carefully examined. “We are not seeing that again at the moment,” says Witte. “The flow must go well, because if you have to wait fifteen minutes for a parking space, the village may be perceived as busy, while it is not busy in the village.”

Not only can it be busy on the road, you can also walk over the heads in Den Burg, according to Arthur Oosterbaan, curator at Ecomare. But a little further you can walk for miles in high season without meeting anyone. “Tourists come here for peace and space, but they all visit exactly the same places,” says Oosterbaan.

Maarten van Rossem does have a tip for us that he doesn’t really want to share. “The eastern part of Texel is unspoilt. Let’s hope it stays that way. That also has to do with the fact that the Wadden coast is different from the North Sea coast. The light is very nice. I don’t want to publicize this beautiful side van Texel. Because before you know it it will also be very busy there. You shouldn’t want that.”

Conclusion

But, has the border on Texel now been reached? That depends on who you ask. The sector affects everyone, because everyone is connected to tourism to a large or small extent. We therefore noticed that our stories stirred up a lot. Our stories led to discussions on platforms such as Facebook and at our editorial office in the Glass Palace.

According to alderman Rikus Kieft, the limit is approaching, but it has not yet been reached: “I think we are still in time to take good measures, but then we have to press ahead,” said Kieft.