Border complexity, tourism and international exclaves: A case study

Communities living in border areas often find themselves in a complex reality of living “in the middle,” between two societies and cultures, between two economic systems and in the shadow of changing international relations. This reality may be confusing but it also contains the potential seeds for economic development in various sectors, especially tourism. This research examines the development of tourism in exclaves, one of the most unique forms of borderland attractions/destinations in the world today. The paper presents a typology of the physical, social and cultural elements that have potential for tourism development in exclaves, using Belgian Baarle-Hertog and Dutch Baarle-Nassau as empirical examples.

Research highlights► International borders provide a competitive advantage for exclaves. ► Physical elements of the border add appeal for tourists. ► Socio-cultural, economic and legal differences are important. ► Planning differences and cooperation are crucial to tourism success in exclaves. ► Natural landscapes and ecotourism are enhanced by the exclave status of the Baarles.