Exploring the relationship between entrepreneurs and Limburgs' National Parks

Abstract

This internship report investigates the relationship between the National Parks of Limburg and the entrepreneurs that are active in their immediate surroundings. By conducting and coding 25 semistructured interviews with several parties that are involved with the National Parks, the local relationships were mapped for both National Park ‘De Meinweg’ as well as National Park ‘De Groote Peel’. In addition, a survey with some multiple choice and some open questions was distributed among entrepreneurs. Questions that were asked examined the willingness of entrepreneurs to become more nature-inclusive entrepreneurs as well as the willingness to organize events with natureinclusive characteristics. In addition, nature-inclusive practices used, and nature-inclusive events organized by these entrepreneurs were inventoried and assessed on actual impact. Based on all findings, a description was mad of the relation between entrepreneurs and NP’s. Finally, some suggestions are made for improvements of these relationships to potentially improve nature-inclusion for entrepreneurs as well as their consumers.