Experience

Flanders’ art cities residents still proud of their city, but highlight drawbacks of tourism more often

Posted by Timothy on

In the period from 12 May to 13 July 2023, more than 7,000 residents of the five Flemish art cities Antwerp, Leuven, Mechelen (Mechlin), Bruges and Ghent were asked about how they view tourism in their city. Tourism creates a certain pride about the city and its sights and landmarks. However, the negative impact of tourism on residents also appears to be increasing.

The desirability of tourism has been a hot topic the past few years. Tourism attracts revenue, but also strains aspects of every day life such as mobility or housing. 

Flag of Flanders.

About this survey

This research examines the perception of the residents of the five Flemish art cities about tourism. The study is repeated every two years and is a collaboration between Tourism Flanders and the tourist services of the art cities. This year the study was conducted by the research agency Indiville. The channels to reach residents were the Bpact panel, the Antwerp city panel, social media and post-to-web.

Support for tourism will decrease slightly compared to 2021

In all cities, a majority of residents believe that tourism is important and want it to remain that way. 

However, support for tourism has decreased slightly: from 3.8/5 in 2021 to 3.6/5 now. In general, the advantages of tourism outweigh the disadvantages. The majority of residents also believe that the city should continue to support the promotion of tourism. In Bruges and Ghent this is only a narrow majority.

Museum Aan de Stroom, Antwerp.

The quality of life in the city is under pressure

Compared to 2021, the quality of life in the city is under pressure due to tourism. The average score increases from 2.6 to 2.9/5. A higher score means a more negative evaluation of the quality of life in the city.

This increase is especially clear in Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp. According to residents, tourism limits comfort in certain parts of the city, the number of tourists reduces the quality of life, tourists cause nuisance and tourist pressure has a negative impact on daily life. In Bruges (51%) and Ghent (40%) there is also a strong feeling that their own city no longer belongs to the residents.

The positive impact remains, but the negative impact increases

Residents of the central cities still think the same about the positive impact of tourism compared to 2021. It is striking that the share of residents in Bruges who agree with the statements is lower than in 2021 and slightly higher in Antwerp.

In general, 6 in 10 residents believe that tourism increases the vibrancy in the city, strengthens the economy and makes the city look better through tourist developments. Half of the respondents also believe that tourism contributes to the income and living standards of residents. 4 in 10 believe that there are more shopping and relaxation options thanks to tourism.

Bpact did not see a significant increase in the positive impact, but we did see a significant increase in the negative impact. Mainly in Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent, more residents agree with the negative statements. The increase is less pronounced in Leuven and Mechelen.

Mechelen City Hall.

Residents are proud of their city, but do not always feel heard

Residents are still just as proud of their city compared to 2021. Thanks to tourism, 70 to 75% of residents are proud of their own city and/or want to tell others what the city has to offer. 60 to 67% are reminded of their own unique culture through tourism. In Antwerp and Ghent, people agree with the last two statements even more than in 2021.

Despite the pride, only 1 in 5 indicate that they are heard about concerns or ideas about tourism developments. 

In Antwerp that number is even slightly higher. In Bruges, Ghent and Mechelen, people agree significantly less with these statements compared to 2021. 6 in 10 residents are aware of the tourist policy in the city. In Bruges this is even 7 out of 10, followed by Antwerp and Mechelen. 

4 in 10 also want to be involved in policy. 3 in 10 residents are not interested in the city’s tourism policy.

Leuven City Hall.

The majority of residents like to come into contact with tourists

Just over 50% of Antwerp, Leuven and Mechelen residents believe that tourism promotes understanding of other people. This share is lower in Ghent and Bruges (38%). 

More than 60% of the residents of Antwerp, Leuven or Mechelen enjoy contact with visitors. In Ghent only 49% think so and in Bruges 54%. 

On average, about half of the residents in their own city come into contact with tourists at least monthly. In general, the majority likes to come into contact with visitors. This preferably happens through short, informal conversations on the street or in a café, where tips are shared with visitors.

Focus primarily on less burdensome forms of tourism

In general, residents opt for less straining forms of tourism. There is a focus on visitors who are looking for content and take the time to discover the city. The measure to charge more burdensome forms of tourism, such as day trippers, is gaining popularity compared to 2021. In 2021, only 35% agreed with this. This year it is already 63%.

Residents avoid certain places or times

Residents are also taking measures to deal with the adverse effects of tourism themselves. There is a particular increase in avoiding certain places or moments (2021: 33% – 2023: 43%). 

The share of residents experiencing the adverse effects of tourism has also increased. In 2021, 40% indicated that they would not experience any adverse consequences. In 2023 this will be only 26%. 

This is mainly due to the differences in Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. There are no major differences in Leuven and Mechelen.

A crowded Meir in Antwerp.

More or fewer tourists in the future?

Whether to attract more or fewer tourists in the future depends on the city. 

Overall, 68% believe that as many (50%) or more (18%) tourists should be attracted. In Bruges, however, this is only 50%. In Ghent too, 39% would prefer to see fewer visitors in the city. 

In both cities people would like fewer cruise, group and day tourists. In Leuven and Mechelen, on the other hand, we see the opposite. In Leuven, 33% of the residents and in Mechelen 43% are asking for more tourism.

Tourists or visitors?

In the comment section of the Bpact post, people would like a differentiation between the types of tourists. The word tourist mostly evokes the foreign visitor staying art least one night. 

Is someone from a town or city nearby coming to the art city to shop a tourist? Or a visitor. Is someone coming to the art city for a major event such as a sporting contest, a Christmas market, pride, a festival, … a tourist? 

The post partially addresses this stating the art cities’ residents would like day tourism to be less burdensome and pointing out residents avoid crowded areas. 

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