Employment Opportunities through Tourism Sector
Transforming the Rhineland Mining District into a Green Tourism Destination
The Rhineland Mining District is embarking on an exciting journey to transform its post-mining landscapes into a sustainable, eco-friendly, and barrier-free holiday destination. This ambitious project, supported by various partners including the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and local authorities, aims to breathe new life into the region.
At the heart of this initiative is the development of infrastructure and natural habitat restoration around former coal mining areas, using sustainable practices. A significant part of this effort is the construction of a 6.7 km water pipeline from the Rhine River to mining sites like the Hambach opencast mine. This pipeline will help stabilize groundwater, create new lakes, and foster habitats for flora and fauna, paving the way for long-term opportunities in tourism and renewable energy.
Strategic planning recommendations for the region emphasize designing thematic tourist routes that align with cultural heritage corridors and tourism infrastructure to enhance visitor experience and sustainability. These routes aim to weave together industrial heritage and natural landscapes, creating appealing and accessible holiday options.
The project's climate-friendly focus aligns with broader trends in sustainable tourism, emphasizing eco-friendly infrastructure and barrier-free access to encourage diverse visitor groups. The aim is to develop tourism that respects ecological balance while revitalizing the region economically and socially.
Rhein-Erft Tourismus e. V. is coordinating the project for the development of the region. Other partners include Grünmetropole e. V., indeland Tourismus e. V., Neuland Hambach GmbH, the Zweckverband Landfolge Garzweiler, and the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier. The counties of Düren, Euskirchen, and Heinsberg, the Rhein-Erft district, the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, the Aachen Region, and the city of Mönchengladbach are also involved.
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The project does not involve any advertisements. In addition to the construction of the water pipeline and the development of tourist routes, a tourist coordination and networking office is planned, as well as cooperation with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Future Agency Rhineland Mining District, and the leisure industry and hospitality sector for visible tourist accents.
The project's ultimate goal is to create jobs in the tourism and recreation industries as coal mining and power generation jobs disappear. The mining district aims to become a future-oriented, climate-friendly, and barrier-free holiday destination by 2050. The declaration aims to make the region an attractive place to live and work, and to attract visitors. This joint declaration of intent, signed by the heads of administration in various districts and cities, is a testament to the collective effort to utilize tourism opportunities in the Rhineland region.
- As part of the project, thematic tourist routes will be developed, integrating industrial heritage and natural landscapes to create an appealing and sustainable home-and-garden for travellers seeking a unique holiday experience in the Rhineland Mining District.
- By 2050, the Rhineland Mining District aims to transform into a future-oriented, climate-friendly, and barrier-free lifestyle destination, offering diverse opportunities in travel and recreation, as well as being an attractive place to live and work.
