Utrecht and hoteliers make unique agreements for future-proof tourism

The municipality of Utrecht and the Utrecht hoteliers, united in HOST Foundation, today took a special new step in their cooperation. They signed unique agreements that will, among other things, boost quality tourism such as business visits to Utrecht in the coming years.

The agreements are unique and a strong example of cooperation between government and a private party like the hotel sector. The agreement stipulates that the municipality will set aside an annual amount to encourage future-proof tourism. Efforts include: 

• Attracting visitors who contribute to Utrecht's Healthy Urban Living ambitions such as business events around the theme of health.
• Attracting visitors who want to travel to and in Utrecht in a sustainable way.
• Greening and making the city more attractive to visitors and residents.
• Promoting local, sustainable entrepreneurs. 

Tourist tax revenues thus further benefit both the city of Utrecht and the hotel sector. The emphasis is on sustainable initiatives of economic and social value. In this, HOST Foundation acts as advisor to the municipality. In addition, HOST is the central point of contact for, for instance, organisations that want to finance events that fall within the agreements. 

Alderman Susanne Schilderman (Economic Affairs): "Utrecht has traditionally been a city of encounters. Together with the hotel sector, we are focusing on the type of visit that really adds value to our city: multi-day, sustainable and business. These agreements show well that the municipality and entrepreneurs have shared ambitions and can build a stronger Utrecht economy together." 

Henk Hölscher (chairman HOST): "With these agreements, we are building a sustainable visitor economy in which the municipality and the hotel sector take responsibility together. This not only strengthens the economy, but also contributes to a healthy and future-proof city."

Economic and social value

Tourism is an important pillar of Utrecht's economy. About five per cent of the city's employment falls within the tourism and recreation sector. Utrecht is, after Amsterdam, the most important destination for multi-day business visits. Multi-day visitors spend around 470 million euros in Utrecht every year. Business visitors in particular appreciate the wide range of conference facilities, the atmosphere, the opportunities for relaxation and the high quality of the hotels. By jointly investing in quality tourism, Utrecht remains a place where knowledge sharing, encounters and sustainable growth are key.