Forts in Transition

Former military fortifications are often repurposed for tourism and recreation. While some of over 100 Dutch forts are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites, a substantial number are currently underdeveloped, putting their cultural and natural heritage at risk. Developing these forts in a conscious and collaborative way promises to not only preserve their heritage value, but also facilitate enjoyable and healthy experiences for visitors. Moreover, under-developed forts provide an opportunity to solve another pressing challenge, namely overtourism. Visitor pressure at tourist attractions has led the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions to call for spreading visitors to lesser-known areas. Less-developed forts are among the most promising of these.

Development initiatives depend on a transition from isolation to cooperation across sites. However, for cooperation to be effective, agencies managing these forts have indicated an urgent need for data on visitor characteristics and experiences. The purpose of the present project is to measure and analyze visitor demographics, motivations, and experiences at less-developed forts, and to develop a toolkit to inspire, support, and monitor development of these forts for natural and cultural heritage preservation and improved visitor experience. This proposal builds on the previous project, “Experiencing Nature” which utilized Breda Experience Lab technologies to measure visitor experiences at Fort de Roovere. We now aim to broaden this proven approach to a broader variety of forts, and to translate visitor data into actionable advice.

The consortium includes a changemaking network of the Alliantie Zuiderwaterlinie (NL), Regionale Landschappen (VL), and Agentschap Natuur en Bos (VL). This Dutch-Flemish network aims to connect formerly isolated forts to one another, and represents a broad diversity of fortified sites, each with unique challenges. The project will thus facilitate interregional collaboration, especially toward coming Interreg EU proposals, and inform interregional marketing campaigns and planning for management and conservation.

compares three methods for mapping visitor emotions across physical locations at nature-based tourism sites (specifically two Dutch green forts—Fort de Roovere and Fort Sabina).

Main Research Question: The study investigates whether different emotion mapping approaches produce consistent or conflicting conclusions about where visitors experience specific emotions.

Three Mapping Methods Compared:
Experience Reconstruction Maps – Based on visitors recalling and rating emotions at specific locations after their visit
Emotion Physiology Maps – Based on real-time skin conductance measurements (a physiological indicator of emotional arousal) tracked via wearable devices
Emotion Effectiveness Maps – Combining physiological data with self-reported emotions to show correlations between arousal and overall visit satisfaction

Key Finding: The three methods revealed significantly different spatial patterns of emotions, particularly regarding which locations should be ranked as most or least emotionally arousing. This raises questions about which approach is most valid for understanding visitor experiences.

Methodology: 98 visitors were tracked using GPS and skin conductance sensors while visiting the forts, combined with questionnaires before and after their visits. The researchers used statistical models to validate their findings.
Significance: The study provides practical guidance for site managers and researchers on which emotion mapping approach works best for different purposes in sustainable tourism management.