Great importance of culinary delights for North Sea holidays

OLDENBURG - "More courage for North Sea cuisine" is what Holger Herweg, publisher of the North Sea Tourism Report and CEO of Pathfinding AG, is calling for. And for good reason: surveys on the annual statistics have recognised culinary delights as one of the main drivers and a key factor in the loyalty of North Sea guests to the region. With 53 per cent, the gastronomic offer ranks ahead of beach and bathing holidays with 52 per cent as the reason why regular guests in particular keep coming back to the North Sea coast. However, there is a need for optimisation. "More than half of holidaymakers make use of the local gastronomic offer, whereby a good culinary offer strengthens the loyalty of guests to the region and the location," says Herweg. "However, 14 per cent of holidaymakers see potential for improvement in the area of gastronomy - particularly in terms of value for money and regional cuisine." Of the 31 to 40-year-olds, as many as 17 per cent would like to see culinary improvements on their plates.

North Sea guests want more variety and regional flavours on their plates

Overall, 55 per cent of holidaymakers associate the German North Sea coast with culinary delights. However, at the top of tourists' wish lists are more variety in restaurants and more local culinary specialities. Herweg sees a number of levers here to position the culinary delights of the North Sea even better, such as fixed culinary events on seasonal products - keyword "Mussel Week". Herweg also sees the development of culinary networks of regional producers, suppliers and restaurants as promising. "We live on a fantastic piece of land and have the World Heritage Site on our doorstep. We can be proud of this and it should also be reflected in our gastronomic offering. According to the motto 'Our cuisine, our pride: discover regional and seasonal specialities from the North Sea coast!"

The restaurant rankings for the North Sea coast:

Aurich district, city of Bremerhaven, Cuxhaven district, Dithmarschen district, Friesland district, North Friesland district, Stade district, Wesermarsch district, city of Wilhelmshaven, Wittmund district,