The City of Antwerp has brought a highly successful edition of Winter in Antwerp (Winter in Antwerpen) to a close with its traditional New Year’s treat, capping four weeks of winter festivities across the historic city centre. This year’s edition attracted a total of 1.5 million visitors, confirming its status as one of the strongest…
Tag: Flanders
Antwerp International Airport still has large public support and political advocates, but must have healthier finances
A clear majority of residents in the arrondissement of Antwerp support the continued existence of Antwerp International Airport in Deurne. An exclusive survey conducted by Gazet van Antwerpen, published in December 2025, shows that 61% of respondents believe Antwerp should have its own airport, while only 14% are completely opposed.
FLANDERS | Ban on live animals at weekly markets impacts Vogelenmarkt in Antwerp
Since 1 January 2026, the sale of live animals at weekly markets is banned across Flanders, bringing an end to a long-standing practice that has been part of street life in several towns and cities for generations. The measure is part of the new Flemish Animal Welfare Code introduced by Flemish minister for Animal Welfare…
Antwerp hoteliers see strong year-end but brace for difficult 2026 as average room rates come under pressure
Hotels in the city of Antwerp in Belgium are looking back on a successful year-end. December 2025 proved to be an excellent month, with occupancy 8% higher than in the same period last year. Overall, however, 2025 was only an average year, and 2026 is expected to be challenging.
Tourism Flanders tightens Airbnb rules to protect housing for singles
Flemish Deputy Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of Housing, Energy and Climate, Tourism and Youth Melissa Depraetere (Vooruit) is tightening the rules for Airbnb accommodations, stating that homes intended for single occupants are increasingly being used as tourist accommodation.
Antwerp approves Pedestrian Programme 2025 to transform the city into a leading walking environment by 2030
The City of Antwerp has formally approved its first full Pedestrian Programme, marking a significant policy shift towards prioritising walkers in the urban environment. The adoption of the Pedestrian Programme 2025 brings together, for the first time, all pedestrian-related ambitions, policy directions and concrete actions into a coherent framework. It establishes walking as both a…
BELGIUM TRAVEL STATS | France, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany most popular destinations in 2024
Triggered by a press release by Germany Travel, aka the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), aka Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus (DZT), let’s have a look at the most recent available travel statistics from travellers living in Belgium.
Deutsche Bahn to offer a Cologne – Ostend / Bruges / Ghent – Cologne high-speed train connection in the summer of 2026?
Is Deutsche Bahn planning a direct ICE high-speed train link from Cologne in North Rhine-Westphalia to Ostend in West Flanders? VagonWeb, the leading website from Czechia that collects train compositions throughout Europe, thinks so.
FRANCE | Train excursion to Maubeuge and Lille
September 2025. A few days before our Journey Across Japan, Sam, Danny, and I went an a day excursion to Maubeuge and Lille in France, just across the border with Belgium. Some proper #CrossBorderRail. From Charleroi-Central Railway Station in Wallonia, there is an S63 suburban train (while the scenery is very green and nut urban…
Brussels Airlines welcomes new Star Chef Glenn Verhasselt from two-Michelin-star restaurant Sir Kwinten
Brussels Airlines is once again bringing a piece of Belgium to the skies and is proud to announce its new Star Chef: Glenn Verhasselt, chef at the two Michelin-starred restaurant Sir Kwinten in Lennik.
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