Insights For Coastal Destination Development: The Practices Of Kiteboarders In The Netherlands

Abstract

Soft adventure is a popular tourism niche that northwest coastal destinations in Europe, such as the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands, are increasingly targeting. Many of these cold-water coastal destinations are struggling with strategies and policies that could maintain or increase their market share, often through the improvement of coastal products and image of the destination. One water sport that has gained enormous popularity in the last decade is kiteboarding. The practices of kiteboarders, which are informed by practice theory and conceptualized by the kiteboarding session, are studied through multiple methods. The research findings led to practical recommendations for deliberate interventions that support coastal destination policies targeting this niche.