{"id":12684,"date":"2024-06-13T16:02:06","date_gmt":"2024-06-13T14:02:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/?p=12684"},"modified":"2024-07-01T14:24:28","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T12:24:28","slug":"tourisms-sweet-success-the-commerical-rise-of-waffles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/12684\/tourisms-sweet-success-the-commerical-rise-of-waffles\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourism’s Sweet Success : The Commercial Rise of Waffles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tourism is an economically advancing gateway to introduce new visitors to a town, city, or country. Many tourist attractions are often that of a tradition to the host country and in many ways are a means of keeping these traditions alive. However, there is a common conception that many traditions have been altered due to their commercialisation and made more desirable to a country\u2019s newcomers. While some would argue that local landscape is often destroyed, economic inflation occurs, and overall tradition is lost, others would say it creates jobs, improves infrastructure, and helps build community. Discussing the humble Belgian Waffle, by way of making a complex topic digestible, an exploration will be made to uncover whether it has become that of a tourist trap. Speaking to experts Maria Laura, Marketing Specialist, and Waffle Workshop host, as well as a waffle vendor in the heart of Brussels, it became clear that there are certainly some conflicting opinions within this sector.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say that we are moving very far away from tradition. The tradition is there.\u201d- Maria Laura of Waffle Workshop Brussels.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Several questions surrounding the economic, demographic, and political overview of the commercialisation of the tourism industry, specifically the Belgian Waffle industry must first be answered. Delving into the history of Belgium and the stereotypes that go alongside this, brings light to traditions formed from neighboring countries.\u00a0 Many people find identity through food, which has paved the way for the creation of endless traditions that are still present today. Social Identity in this regard and its function, show us how traditions begin. \u2018Community\u2019 is a social construct created to allow humans to form valuable connections. Belonging to a group facilitates an identification thus creating a community with traditions. Traditions allow \u2018community\u2019 to move through generations. With conflict arising from linguistics as well as territory, this has inevitably created confusion surrounding the traditions\u00a0within Belgium. \u00a0Food in any case is that of a \u2018sentiment\u2019 as such, with many arguing that it should remain in its purest form.<\/p>\n

\u00a0With Belgian French referring to the waffle as \u201cgaufre\u201d and Flemish using the word \u201cWafel\u201d, this already gives way to the divided definition.\u00a0 Food is said to be that of an identity marker.\u00a0 Commonly, Belgian Chocolate, Belgian Waffles, and Belgian beer are seen as more traditional within the Belgian food scene.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0 \u00a0Interest sparked in the commercialisation of tourism when questions were raised about changing traditions. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have given space for prior education to potiential tourist’s and has seen been an excellent marketing tool for many.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0The reputable Waffle Workshop, which has received roaring reviews over the last number of years was the perfect candidate for an in-depth and passionate interview about the commercialisation of the tourism industry. The interview in question was conducted with Maria Laura Bencosme, Marketing Specialist and host of the Belgian Waffle Workshop in Brussels. Maria spoke passionately about this business, explaining its establishment in 2018. She spoke of how her boss made his student job a full-time business.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMy boss started doing the workshop at a hostel before this as a student job. And because he was working with so many tourists, he thought wait a minute, what are people looking for in Belgium? Easy. Waffles, beer, and chocolate. So, he\u2019s like, okay, what can I teach people to do? Beer? It\u2019s a little more complicated and easier to just drink. So, he then decided to settle on Chocolate and Waffles.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t