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A marketing strategy has been partly worked out for the Grebbelinie. The brand of the line is important and it should be recognized by its visitors.
Projects that are realized in the framework of the line are described in press publications and mailed to the local and regional papers. It is a free PR instrument.
In March 2010, a book was published of the history of the Grebbelinie by Mr. Jan Blokker, describing the real life experiences of people defending and living nearby the line in WW II.
A walking and canoeing route issue was realized, a cycling route description guide will maybe follow.
Grebbelinie festivals are organized every year with a certain theme. In May 2010, the theme was Music and Freedom, organized at the “Fortress aan de Buurtsteeg”. A special Grebbelinie room in the museum Flehite at Amersfoort has been opened in May 2010.
The internet site in Dutch about the Grebbelinie is well maintained and frequently updated.
In the internet sites of the engaged organizations there is also a room for the Grebbelinie project. See www.grebbelinie.nl
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Several brochures in Dutch are realized like the “Grebbelinie, From Defending to Protection”. This brochure gives a picture of the defence works of the whole line with the history of the line at the back. It gives also references to the walking, cycling and canoeing routes along the Grebbelinie and how to obtain these route guides.
Arrangements between entrepreneurs will be realized. Co-funding to mini projects of entrepreneurs is foreseen.
A very nice marketing idea is a small station that can be created at the fortress “Fort aan de Buurtsteeg” under the to be built visitors centre. This little station can be functioning during the weekend when the frequency of the passing trains is not so high. Another alternative is to revive an old railroad to Leusden and Woudenberg, even with an old fashioned steam locomotive. Volunteers love to maintain and drive this kind of trains.
As Public Transport is highly promoted in The Netherlands, it would be nice to realize a “Tourism Station” or to restore a part of the old railway with a historical train on it.
The roads to the visitor centres of the Grebbelinie must be well signalized and ending in guarded parking places for cars, buses and bicycles. In advertising this has to be stressed. Nothing is more stressful after a nice trip than a stolen bike or damaged car.
It is advised that information plates, leaflets, brochures, etc. will be also in English and German to attract tourists from the neighbour countries, Europe, the USA and Japan.
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Section 2.4: Accommodation and Catering | References |
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