Rural tourism offers more than just an escape—it’s a chance to reconnect with nature, culture, and community. Travelers are drawn to the charm of wide-open landscapes, local traditions, and tranquil surroundings, while rural communities embrace tourism as a way to boost their economy, preserve heritage, and foster a sense of pride. But as tourism reshapes these places, it also redefines identities, landscapes, and connections. Through the shared act of place-making, both visitors and locals create spaces that tell stories of belonging and change. This report presents findings collected by Merle Maleen Behr & Therese Katharina Maria Nix, two master’s students from Linnaeus University, as part of their 2024 master’s thesis titled Exploring Sense of Place Through Local Tourism Actors’ Embeddedness in Rural Tourism Place-Making Insights from Local Rural Tourism Actors in Southern Sweden. The research explores how 22 local tourism actors in Destination Åsnen, Sweden, shape their feeling of belonging and sense of community through tourism place-making. By focusing on in-depth interviews with companies and tourism stakehodlers, the study sheds light on their perceptions of tourism, their needs, and their aspirations for the area.