Leisure
inspiring projects
Leisure in Lelystad
Lelystad is in constant growth! The recent expansion of Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet, the growth of Lelystad Airport and the establishment of new hotels are but a few examples of some of the most recent, and prospective developments. Read on for an overview of several of these inspiring projects. Want to learn how you can become a part of these developments? Contact the department of Economic Affairs of the Municipality of Lelystad by sending an email to economicaffairs@lelystad.nl.
Hotel industry development: An overview
Lelystad derives its tourism strategy from developments within the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area(AMA) collaboration. The participating municipalities within the AMA have composed a common strategy for the hotel industry.
The hotel industry offers a wealth of opportunities for the continuous improvement of its international position for attracting both visitors and conference organisers. By attuning hotel accommodations within the AMA to one another, the economic position of both the tourist and recreational sector within the AMA will strengthen. The goal of this strategy is to connect the economic, tourist, and land-use policies related to the hotel industry within the AMA. To achieve this goal, the municipality of Lelystad has mapped out which of its sites are especially suitable for the establishment of hotels.
The Batavia area
Like the rest of the city, Lelystad’s coastal area is in full development. The Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet is home to 150 stores and gastronomic facilities. The outlet attracts 2.2 million visitors annually. Two museums situated on the same premises, the Batavia shipyard and the Nieuw Land museum (together: Batavialand), tell the story of the Golden Age and the poldering efforts. Combined, these museums draw 180.000 visitors each year.
A portion of the Batavia area houses one of Lelystad’s five harbours, the Bataviahaven. The Bataviahaven is a spacious harbour with room for recreational yachting, cruise ships, and traditional sailing ships. Thanks to its convenient location, the harbour is easily accessible by both land and water.
The Oostvaardersplassen/Hollandse Hout
The famous nature reserve Oostvaardersplassen, or ‘The New Wilderness’, is a protected area inhabited by large herds of Konik horses, deer, and countless other animal species. Although the reserve prohibits hotel development, its fringe offers varied opportunities. The adjacent ‘Hollandse Hout’ forest (circa 900 ha / 2223 acres) offers space for small-scale accommodations, which could be combined with other facilities. A successful example of a recreational area occupied by several tourist and recreational facilities is ‘t Bovenwater.
Facts & figures – Leisure accommodation (derived from 2013 figures)
- Spending for leisure accommodation: About 7,5 million Euros;
- 15 hotel facilities, accounting for a total of 62.000 hotel overnight stays;
- 2 regular and 1 mini tourist camping site with a total of 450 pitches among which 95 permanent pitches;
- 3 bungalow accommodations with 14 beds, accounting for a total of 3.500 overnight stays;
- 9 marinas with over 2.400 permanent berths and 1.835 berths for visiting yachts.
The airport area (leisure)
As of 2019, Lelystad Airport is well on its way to becoming an airport for holiday and business travellers. Given its projected growth, the airport is expected to handle several million travellers by 2023. This massive number of passengers offers countless opportunities.
The Lelystad Airport Businesspark, built adjacent to Lelystad Airport is a high quality business area that values innovation, sustainability and leisure. Find out more about the opportunities at Lelystad Airport Businesspark here.
Larserplein /Nature park
The Larserplein is situated near the 10th exit of the A6, close to the city entrance. The Larserplein is a conveniently located site that houses motorway related businesses and services. Opportunities at this site are expected to increase as Lelystad Airport and the adjacent Lelystad Airport Businesspark continue to expand. The Larserplein’s scenic Northern and Eastern sides are bordered by an impressive nature park called Natuurpark Lelystad which attracts 150.000 visitors a year. South of the Larserplein is the Flevopoort business area. With space to spare, the Larserplein is an ideal site for the establishment of hotels.
Marker Wadden
A collection of artificial islands called the “Marker Wadden” have been newly created amidst the Markermeer with the intention of improving the health of the local ecosystem. The islands have recently become accessible to human and animal alike.
Positioned adjacent to the Marker Wadden, the Batavia harbour provides an ideal starting point for day trips to the islands. As the Marker Wadden draws more visitors, investment opportunities abound for leisure accommodations, a visitors centre, look-out towers, beaches, and more.
Lelystad within the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area
Facts & figures – Tourist hotspots (derived from 2013 figures)
- Tourist / recreational spending: Ca. 207 million Euros (includes the Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet), accounts for 35% of Flevoland’s income;
- visitors per year for the Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet: About 2.200.000;
- visitors per year for the aviation theme park Aviodrome: About 100.000;
- visitors per year for the maritime heritage compound called Batavialand (comprised of the Nieuw Land museum, the Batavia shipyard and the maritime archaeological depot): About 180.000;
- several medium and large-scale events per year (such as the national oldtimer day, LelySTART, etc.): A total of roughly 135.000 visitors;
- 3 recreational outdoor & nature facilities with about 375.000 visitors;
- 6 water sports facilities, attracting about 105.000 visitors;
- 117 gastronomy facilities accounting for 860.000 gastronomy visits;
- total gastronomy spending: About 50 million Euros.