Climate change also has consequences for the Brabant tourism industry. Campsites and holiday parks are faced with increasingly extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain showers and heat waves. EuroParcs Holiday Parks in Kaatsheuvel has now installed a drainage system to keep feet dry, but researchers warn that not all companies in the sector are adapting sufficiently.
Last summer boots were worn at various campsites in Brabant. At the Intents dance festival in Oisterwijk, even a quarter of the temporary campsite had to be closed due to heavy rain. “We recognize those problems,” says Ron Moerenhout, spokesperson for EuroParcs Holiday Parks. “Summers are often mild, making campsites more popular than ever. But the rain showers are also becoming heavier, which causes problems.”
Restaurant blank
In May, the terrace and restaurant of the holiday park in Kaatsheuvel were flooded due to a heavy rain shower. “We are in a low-lying area, so all the water flows to our restaurant,” says Moerenhout. “The pumping station in the area could not handle it, so the water came up through the wells. It was all hands on deck to remove the water with squeegees.”
On Christmas Day last year there was also flooding due to a broken pump. “We have since disconnected the rainwater drainage from the wastewater sewer, so that the water flows to the front of the street,” Moerenhout explains. “We have also installed extra drainage, an underground system of pipes that drain excess water to the ground. But ultimately, in Kaatsheuvel we remain dependent on the municipal pumping station. If it cannot process the water, it will still come up through the wells.”
Floods
According to Bas Amelung, researcher at Wageningen University & Research, too few tourism companies take sufficient measures against the consequences of climate change. “Many companies focus mainly on the short term, while long-term climate changes are becoming increasingly visible. The KNMI has presented climate scenarios in 2023 that show what the Netherlands can expect, such as more tropical days.”
In Brabant, for example, there is a risk of flooding due to rivers overflowing their banks, for example around Den Bosch. Amelung explains: “If the water in the Meuse is high due to a lot of rain in France or the Ardennes, this can mean that rivers such as the Aa and the Dieze cannot discharge their water, resulting in flooding.”
300 million bathtubs
The Aa en Maas Water Board warns that flooding could become more common due to climate change. Around Den Bosch the chance of a flood is once every 150 years. This last happened in 1995. Then parts of the A2 were flooded. In the event of an emergency, the city must be able to collect an additional 36 million cubic meters of water – equivalent to 300 million bathtubs.
The number of tropical days (temperatures above 30 degrees) is also increasing. In a low-emissions scenario, where emissions decrease rapidly, the number of tropical days increases from five to nine per year. In a high emissions scenario, this could amount to thirty days per year.
New construction with climate risks
To help companies in the tourism sector, researchers are talking to owners of hotels, campsites and festivals. “In new construction it is important to take into account the expected need for heating and cooling. It is often much more expensive to make adjustments afterwards,” says Amelung. “Construction sites must also take climate risks into account. For example, it is not wise to build in low-lying areas where there is a greater risk of flooding.”
In addition, companies such as hotels can take measures to reduce flooding. This way they can disconnect the rain drain from the sewer, as the sewer is often unable to quickly drain large quantities of rainwater. “But hotels cannot do anything about the groundwater level, water boards are needed for that. It is important that the tourism sector is represented on boards where climate measures are discussed, so that the interests of the sector are properly taken into account.”
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