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Western Kentucky University

Tourism and Rural Identity in the Waasland, Belgium

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The northern portion of Belgium, a region known as Flanders, is one of the most densely settled, industrialized areas in the world. Existing in small, isolated tracts, are "green spaces" mainly devoted to agricultural output. The Flemish way of life and environment has become increasingly "urbanized." Tourism commissions operating in the countryside have drawn on Flemish heritage and identity, as well as the rural landscape to act as marketing tools. In terms of perception and the notion of a distinctly Flemish rural "space'" how are tourist flow patterns influenced? Does the process of perception result in an exclusive urban to rural pattern, or is there deviation (e.g. rural to rural)? Finally, what mechanisms are utilized by the tourism industry to create the demand for rural tourist activity -- is culture invented, or does an emerging Flemish identity reveal itself as part of the linguistic movement?

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Department of Geography and Geology
Year
2004

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Thomas, Joel Stuart
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Dr. Katie Algeo (Director), Dr. David Keeling, Dr. Stuart Foster, Dr. Richard Deal

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/233
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalcommons.wku.edu:theses-1237

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Western Kentucky University
Base URL
digitalcommons.wku.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Thomas, Joel Stuart. Tourism and Rural Identity in the Waasland, Belgium. 2004. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/233