In my town of Breda in the Netherlands, the decision has been taken to withdraw the Tourist Information Bureau (VVV). I personally think it’s a shame, and I think it is a symbol of our almost unconditional surrender to the conquering internet forces.

Logistically the VVV had an ideal location up to a couple of years ago. There is a broad avenue leading from the station to the town centre. All visitors to the town arriving on regional buses or trains walk down that road. Tourist Information needs passing trade – and that is what it had. It probably occupied premises that were far too expensive, but I am sure a slightly more modest option could have been found in the same street.

Fortunately when the new station building was opened they didn’t use one of the shops in there. The design of the concourse was apparently inspired by a rabbit warren and half of the potential passing trade would not even have found their way to a VVV there. When town planners back in the 1870s chose for a design including a number of avenues some 30 meters wide, the Willemstraat, leading up from the station, became an impressive pedestrian entrance to the town.

Aside from the loss of the prime location it had, coupled with the disastrous branch down an alley off the town square, the blame is being put on internet. Why are we just lying down in defeat? Why hasn’t a proper case been made for a continuation of a fundamental service for those just visiting the town?

Apparently the local authority had to subsidise the bureau. Quite right too! We are talking about a ‘shop’ with two full time members of staff; I am quite certain that it was amongst the smaller items on the council budget. Such a subsidy would not have been 100% anyway, and the shop generated income of its own anyway.

A Tourist Information Bureau is a useful facility. The staff provide local knowledge and booking facilities, and sell souvenirs visitors like to take away with them. Can internet provide these services? Yes. Should we let internet take over these services? No!

You might just as well argue that visiting a place in person is superfluous because the best pictures and descriptions are available on the net. We should stop glorifying the internet and remind ourselves that people need physical, not just virtual experiences.