Assessing roles and strategies of public sector stakeholders in an evolving (lifestyle) migration industry: the case of the Dutch Emigration Expo

Eimermann M, Hochedez C, Kordel S, Morén-Alegret R, Nijhoff K, Tomozeiu D, Torkington K, Weidinger T (2024)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Geografiska Annaler Series B-Human Geography Wiley-Blackwell

URI: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/04353684.2024.2405671?needAccess=true

DOI: 0.1080/04353684.2024.2405671

Open Access Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/04353684.2024.2405671?needAccess=true

Abstract

This study focuses on local and regional governments using place- branding strategies to attract intra-EU inward migration for demographic and/or economic purposes. This forms an important aspect of contemporary migration industries, whereby the interlinking of lifestyle, work and economic investment is pivotal. Taking the case of the Emigration Expo event in the Netherlands, it draws on interviews with the organizer and with public sector exhibitors to assess their purposes, roles and strategies when participating in the event. In addition, this paper examines to what extent public sector agents perceive this Expo as a viable physical event, contributing to a lifestyle migration industry. Findings suggest a shift in public sector strategies from attracting residents to recruiting skilled workers or lifestyle entrepreneurs and businesses. Exhibitors that maintain a recurring presence at the Expo over several years can build meaningful relations with each other and with prospective migrant visitors, providing practical information and integrated ‘packages’ to promote their destination as an attractive place to work and live. This supports the idea that (e)migration expos remain relevant physical sites of an evolving branch of the migration industry, including public-private partnerships involved in place and relocation branding as part of spatial planning strategies beyond growth.

Authors with CRIS profile

Stefan Kordel Lehrstuhl für Geographie (Kulturgeographie und Entwicklungsforschung) Tobias Weidinger Lehrstuhl für Geographie (Kulturgeographie und Entwicklungsforschung)

Involved external institutions

Umeå University SE Sweden (SE)

How to cite

APA:

Eimermann, M., Hochedez, C., Kordel, S., Morén-Alegret, R., Nijhoff, K., Tomozeiu, D.,... Weidinger, T. (2024). Assessing roles and strategies of public sector stakeholders in an evolving (lifestyle) migration industry: the case of the Dutch Emigration Expo. Geografiska Annaler Series B-Human Geography. https://doi.org/0.1080/04353684.2024.2405671

MLA:

Eimermann, Marco, et al. "Assessing roles and strategies of public sector stakeholders in an evolving (lifestyle) migration industry: the case of the Dutch Emigration Expo." Geografiska Annaler Series B-Human Geography (2024).

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