Commodification of the countryside: a case study on tourism development in rural Limburg
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2026-02-28
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en
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This thesis investigates how rural tourism reshapes the functions and perceptions of the countryside. The research builds on the assumption that spaces are socially constructed through human interactions and discourses, a perspective incorporated through the Production of Space theory. Interests and attitudes toward tourism development among the local community, the agricultural sector, and the tourism sector were examined through the lens of Growth Machine theory, providing an institutional perspective on power relations among actors.
The core of this thesis is a case study of rural areas in Limburg, a province in the southeast of the Netherlands. Here, rural tourism is gaining popularity due to its distinctive landscapes. At the same time, these landscapes challenge farmers, many of whom view tourism as an additional source of income.
The results show that rural tourism significantly influences the functionality of the countryside, altering narratives and perceptions of rurality. At the same time, the countryside is actively framed as a tourist attraction through storytelling and promotion, reinforcing shifting functions and meanings of rural space. While tourism can generate substantial income, regional organisations in rural Limburg are aware of the pressure it may place on local communities and seek to maintain balance through clear communication, bottom-up initiatives, and citizen participation, helping ensure local support for future development.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen