Sandenburg-DST, a specialist in developing, designing and realising memorable customer experiences, is creating a new family attraction in Scheveningen, the Netherlands' most popular seaside resort. Located on the popular beach and boulevard, this new attraction will build on an existing base of 17 million visitors each year.
Positioned within the family entertainment centre typology, this new destination is described as a family edutainment centre. It offers a family-friendly blend of key attractions, interactive exhibits, playgrounds, workshops, and shows. The centre combines the fun of an entertainment venue with educational storytelling that highlights the North Sea.
Guests will discover how the sea impacts our lives on land and explore topics such as fishing, storms, ships, oil rigs, windmills, and the mysterious underwater realm.
Fun & meaningful experiences
The experience includes three motion rides: Under the Water, On the Water, and Above the Water. Additionally, exhibits and live shows will cover topics like sea life, fisheries, offshore energy, the blue economy, harbour activities, and the history of Scheveningen.
Victor Schade, creative director at Sandenburg-DST, says: “This new concept is a hybrid form of leisure that addresses a growing need among families: leisure activities that are fun, high-quality, and meaningful.
“Parents want to give their children something to learn, and children, above all, want to have fun. As a benchmark, you might compare it to National Geographic Ultimate Explorer.”
Sandenburg-DST anticipates that the new destination, working title North Sea Experience, will draw at least 120,000 visitors annually. The primary target audience will be Dutch families from the Scheveningen catchment area, complemented by overnight tourists, increasing overall visitor numbers.
North Sea Experience will be situated at the southern tip of the beach and boulevard in Scheveningen, as well as on the northern side of Scheveningen harbour. It will be located within a new mixed-use development adjacent to a modern car park with 800 spaces. The attraction will cover 1,600 square metres of the new complex, which will also include a conference centre, restaurants, short-stay tourist apartments, and offices.
The project, started by local entrepreneurs in Scheveningen, aligns with The Hague Municipality's tourism strategy. Both parties see an opportunity to enhance the area’s current tourism options with an educational attraction.
The initiators are currently looking for leisure entrepreneurs and companies interested in collaborating on the new site and the opportunities offered by North Sea Experience. For specific aspects of the experience, an investment grant of EUR 1.25 million is available from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature.
Earlier this year, Sandenburg-DST also announced that it is creating a brand experience for Balashi, a beer brand based on the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba.
