However, local rivalries and desire for independence prevented progress for a time.

It took the foundation of a citizens' movement Bürger für Sylt als Einheit to advance the plan.

In separate referendums in 2008, Westerland (by a large majority) and Sylt-Ost (narrowly) agreed to the merger in May 2008.

Rantum followed, but List, Kampen, Wenningstedt-Braderup and Hörnum remained aloof.

One reason is that the Ortsteile do not want to advertise their tourism services as simple suburbs (Stadtteile).