New chairman Schinnagel wants to strengthen water tourism in SH!

New chairman Schinnagel wants to strengthen water tourism in SH!

A fresh wind is blowing across the waters of Schleswig-Holstein as water tourism is picking up speed. Today Philip Schinnagel was elected as the new first chairman of water tourism in Schleswig-Holstein e.V. (WiSH). Schinnagel, who is also managing director of CORE Kiteboarding GmbH on Fehmarn, wants to pool the interests of water tourism providers and municipalities in the region and sustainably strengthen the sport on the coast and inland waters. “We rely on an objective and solution-oriented way of working,” emphasizes Schinnagel, while thanking Manfred Wohnrade for his more than 20 years of successful management of the club. Wohnrade built up the club with a lot of commitment and built bridges between water sports, tourism development and nature conservation.

By taking over the management of the association, Schinnagel is bringing fresh impetus to the discussion about water tourism. WiSH e.V. has been actively involved in the debate about Baltic Sea protection and is committed to practical solutions to harmonize nature conservation and water sports. Current procedures, such as the NSG “Baltic Sea area west of Fehmarn”, clearly show the importance of early involvement and clear communication.

Water tourism as an economic factor

But what does this change mean for Schleswig-Holstein? Maritime tourism is not only a fun-filled leisure activity, but also a central part of the state's economic landscape. With a turnover of more than 10.3 billion euros, the tourism industry is a real engine for employment and value creation. The 7th Maritime Parliamentary Evening aimed to strengthen Schleswig-Holstein as a sustainable maritime tourism region. The IHK Schleswig-Holstein has a clear voice for the economic and cultural importance of water.

Knud Hansen, President of the Kiel Chamber of Industry and Commerce, emphasizes the need to better link environmental and coastal protection with economic interests. Businesses and tourism stakeholders support marine conservation, but at the same time note that clear rules and incentives are needed. The challenges posed by natural events such as the Baltic Sea flood in 2023 make the vulnerability of the infrastructure obvious. The aim here is to design joint projects in order to actively address climate change.

Challenges and opportunities

Schleswig-Holstein's tourist infrastructure is attractive, but is under pressure from silt and bureaucratic hurdles. The IHK therefore calls for the expansion of the maritime infrastructure, especially with regard to nautical accessibility and marinas. “Future-proof waterways and hinterland connections are essential,” emphasizes Madsen, Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister of Economic Affairs. In addition, major sporting events such as the 2036 Olympic Games could provide an economic boost.

The focus is on innovative projects such as the “Make the Sea” campaign and digital visitor guidance in order to make maritime tourism future-oriented. The IHK is also calling for new offer formats to be developed to extend the season, to promote digitalization and to strengthen interregional cooperation in the Baltic and North Sea regions. Verena Platt-Till from BUND also points out the responsibility of maritime tourism with regard to the preservation of the seas.

For more information about the variety of water tourism options, visit WiSH's central information platform at watertourism-sh.de.

In summary, Schleswig-Holstein has a lot to offer – both for water sports enthusiasts and tourists. The new course of water tourism led by Philip Schinnagel could make a decisive contribution to further expanding this valuable sector of the economy while at the same time promoting the necessary level of sustainable action.