Wilhelmshaven: On the way to becoming a state-approved resort!

Wilhelmshaven: On the way to becoming a state-approved resort!

Wilhelmshaven plans to seek state recognition as a resort. This initiative comes from several political groups, including the council group Win@WBV, the FDP and the Free Voters, and is supported by Ulf Berner. The aim is to clarify the requirements for a recognition procedure with the state of Lower Saxony. A draft resolution will be discussed and decided on at the June meeting of the city council.

The city of Wilhelmshaven has a lot to offer: proximity to the coast, a diverse range of tourist and cultural facilities and numerous overnight accommodations characterize the region. Particularly noteworthy are the location on the UNESCO Wadden Sea World Heritage Site, the southern beach, the city park and the medical expertise of the local rehabilitation center. These plus points are important for the application for recognition.

Comparison with neighboring regions

There are already nine recognized resorts in the Friesland district, including Jever, Schortenser districts, Hohenkirchen, Minsen-Förrien and North Sea spas such as Hooksiel and Horumersiel-Schillig. This shows that Wilhelmshaven is busy competing for tourists and wants to assert itself. According to the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics, recognition as a resort certifies a high level of quality, which could attract more visitors.

The application requires, among other things, a survey form, reports on climate and air quality and a site inspection. It is submitted to the Office for Regional Development in Oldenburg. Olaf Fischer from the Win@WBV council group is convinced that all the requirements for the award are met.

Tourism statistics and future expectations

Wilhelmshaven presents itself as a place of contrasts between relaxing beaches and cultural activities. The city has a rich history and presents itself as modern and changeable. Maritime attractions around the Great Harbor, such as the Coastal Museum, the Aquarium and the German Naval Museum as well as the visitor center of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site, attract tourists. In 2024, a total of 140,544 guests visited Wilhelmshaven, resulting in 374,925 overnight stays.

The potential impact of state recognition is significant. An expected image gain and better visibility in tourism portals could lead to an increase in the number of overnight stays. In addition, the discussion about opening times on Sundays and public holidays aims to ensure that kiosk operators can benefit from the new regulations. They currently fear negative impacts on their existence due to the strict legal requirements that limit their opening hours to a maximum of three hours.

In this ongoing development, the city of Wilhelmshaven could take the next step in its tourism upgrading and work intensively on its offering in order to welcome even more visitors.