Antwerp remains the top conference destination in Flanders – and the wider region – and continues to impress with strong experiences, accessibility and professional support. New large-scale research from Visit Flanders, conducted between September 2024 and July 2025, confirms the international appeal of Flemish conference cities including Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Leuven, Mechelen and Ostend.
Across 30 international association conferences, 975 participants were interviewed face-to-face, 265 completed an extended online survey and 31 organisers took part in in-depth interviews. The findings highlight high satisfaction levels, a strong economic return and increasing international visitor numbers.
Antwerp on 1
Antwerp stands out as the leading conference city in Flanders, achieving the highest venue quality score of all surveyed destinations: an impressive 9/10.
Its strategic link to key sectors – including the port, logistics, innovation and academia – is a major draw for organisers, while strong train connections with Europe add to its appeal.
A Room with a ZOO, the landmark venue at Antwerp Zoo, was frequently praised as “a phenomenal location with everything within walking distance”. The city’s hospitality, high-quality hotel offer and mix of professional, cultural and culinary experiences further reinforce its reputation.
More than 30% of international participants expressed a desire to return for leisure, reflecting Antwerp’s continued growth in inbound tourism, which reached record overnight stays in 2024.
Across Flanders, the numbers underline a clear story: international association conferences bring both impact and economic value. On average, €1,167 is spent per participant in Flanders, of which €647 is paid by the attendee (accommodation, food and drink, shopping, sightseeing) and €520 by organisers (venues, catering, technical support).
In Antwerp specifically, spend per visitor surpasses €1,000, demonstrating the significant contribution to the hospitality and events sector. Those who extend their stay even double their spending.
Neighbours
With 77% of participants coming from abroad – especially from Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France – international reach is strong.
Train travel
Train travel is increasingly popular, particularly among French, British, Swiss and German visitors, who increasingly use high-speed and night-train routes. Once in Antwerp, 75% of participants travel between venues, hotels and restaurants on foot – proof of the city’s walkable scale.
Wider Flemish conference landscape
The wider Flemish conference landscape also scores highly. Participants rate Flemish host cities at an average of 8.8/10, while organisers go even further with 9/10. They praise international accessibility, architectural character, heritage-rich yet compact city centres, and sustainable approaches to mobility and event organisation.
Several Heritage Venues across Flanders were spontaneously mentioned as strong examples of how historic buildings and modern conference infrastructure can reinforce one another. The sector’s focus on sustainability and guest experience is recognised as a defining advantage.
Organising
Leadership across the region stresses the importance of collaboration. Antwerp Convention Bureau (ACB) plays a strategic role in attracting events that align with the city’s core strengths, while the Flanders Convention Bureau works together with local bureaus in Bruges, Ghent, Leuven, Mechelen and Ostend to support organisers with proactive, end-to-end service.
According to Visit Flanders, this collective approach generates lasting value: not only financially, but also through knowledge exchange, innovation and long-term legacy for cities and residents.
Antwerp’s Alderman for Tourism, Koen Kennis (N-VA), emphasises ongoing investment in city marketing, mobility, infrastructure and visitor experience to maintain the city’s lead.
CEO of Visit Flanders, Peter De Wilde, highlights that future growth will come from deepening impact rather than merely attracting more events: “Our strength lies in cooperation, in heritage paired with modernity, and in creating experiences that stay with people long after the conference ends.”
Taken together, the results confirm Flanders’ position as a high-quality, internationally accessible and forward-looking conference region – with Antwerp at the forefront, but strengthened by the combined performance of its partner cities.