20222023 Entrepreneurial promotion – Sluis
Project description:
This project provides an insight into the effort local entrepeneurs put into the promotion of the region Sluis. For this research a database of entrepeneurs in the region is thoroughly analyzed with as a focus point the analysis of their social media channels. The database consisted of small, medium, and large businesses that attract tourists (domestic and foreign) such as hospitality and leisure businesses. An analysis is made about which social media channels the entrepeneurs use for the promotion, the number of followers they have, what kind of promotion they do and the frequency of their posts. Next to that direct contact through interviews with entrepeneurs was an important factor of the research to find out if the findings of the data analysis match real life.
Outcomes:
Many businesses benefit from the municipality’s promotion of the region and events, even though not all actively promote the area on social media. There is a balance, as businesses focus primarily on marketing themselves rather than the region unless explicitly encouraged to do so.
While some businesses do not promote the region online, they contribute in other ways, such as displaying flyers. Larger businesses, like Strand Hotel in Cadzand, go further by providing magazines with regional information.
Overall, businesses support regional promotion in their own way, but many lack clear guidance on utilizing social media effectively. Educating entrepreneurs on the mutual benefits of collaboration between businesses and the municipality is essential.