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Sustainable Food Tourism
in the Wadden Sea Area - UNESCO World Heritage
Sustainable development of food tourism in the Wadden Sea Area
Even though it is usually not recognised, food is a crucial part of a destination’s tourism industry (Hall & Gössling, 2016). Especially due to the increasing interest in sustainability, organic foods and local production, the need for the sustainable development of food tourism is rising (Putra, 2021).
Promoting the Wadden Sea Area as World Heritage through food
In order to promote the Wadden Sea Area as a World Heritage site, Stichting Waddengroep (the foundation of the Wadden Sea) wants to enhance food tourism in the region. As the Wadden Sea Area is stretched over the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, it is difficult to develop food tourism in a sustainable way (personal communication, Anoeska Top, Assistant Project Manager at ETFI, June 3rd, 2022).
Interview about food tourism in the Wadden Sea
This is why FTM was interviewed by Anoeska Top. Currently, she is the Assistant Project Leader at the European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI). Furthermore, she studies Tourism Management at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in Leeuwarden. For her Bachelor dissertation she is researching how the stakeholders of the Wadden Sea Area can work together to enhance food tourism in the entire region.
Research programme by ETFI
Anoeska’s Bachelor dissertation is part of a research project carried out by ETFI. It was requested by Stichting Waddengroep, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Visit Wadden and the Wadden Association of the Netherlands. Their aim is to find out how to foster the World Heritage Experience in the Wadden Sea Area through food tourism (personal communication, Anoeska Top, Assistant Project Manager at ETFI, June 3rd, 2022).
Creation of sustainable food tourism in the Wadden Sea
The common goal is to use typical ingredients of the region, and to develop high-end food. It is supposed to be produced and offered by sustainable producers and entrepreneurs from the area.
Hence, tourists in the Wadden Sea Area will hopefully have an enhanced experience of the World Heritage site (personal communication, Anoeska Top, Assistant Project Manager at ETFI, June 3rd, 2022).
Food tourism experts needed
Anoeska is still looking for more food tourism experts. The interview lasts appeoximately 30 minutes. Please text her directly via LinkedIn or via FTM if you are interested. Thanks for your support and good luck, Anoeska!
We are looking forward to working together with you on enhancing the potential of food tourism in the Wadden Sea Area.
Laureen Rashof, 07.06.2022
Sources
Hall, C. M., & Gössling, S. (2016). Food Tourism and Regional Development: Networks, products and trajectories. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306082791_Food_Tourism_and_Regional_Development_Networks_products_and_trajectories
All other sources were taken from the preview of Anoeska Top’s Bachelor dissertation. They can be directly requested from Anoeska or via FTM.