Sustainable Intangible Heritage tourism in Eijsden-Margraten: The Route from Ist to Soll

Of all municipalities in the Dutch Province of Limburg Eijsden-Margraten houses a surprising number of local traditions and crafts included in the Dutch Inventory of Intangible Heritage (such as fetching the Sint Brigida-Pine and boiling Limburg syrup). This article uses the Cittaslow s approach for enhancing sustainable intangible heritage tourism. The research team identified and interviewed all parties involved in the safeguarding of local intangible heritage, such as custodians, practitioners, residents, companies and visitors. Our premise is that sustainable intangible heritage tourism should focus on finding synergistic balance and alignment between the interests of diverse stakeholders. We surveyed tourist visitors about their interests in and perceptions of local intangible heritage. Local residents were also surveyed about their feelings concerning intangible heritage tourism. The views of custodians, practitioners and entrepreneurs were gauged by using in-depth interviews. In order to learn from experiences elsewhere in the Netherlands, we also analysed best practices in intangible heritage tourism, which were applicable to Eijsden-Margraten. Our research findings enabled us to develop four recommended intangible heritage related attractions and events: a heritage experience museum; workshops; a regional products day; and a spectacle. The various stakeholders can develop each of these together in order to attract intangible heritage tourism. These recommended activities should produce year-round intangible heritage tourism in Eijsden-Margraten, ultimately strengthening small-scale sustainable tourism.