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.
Tag: Netherlands
NETHERLANDS | The Hague aims to become Europe’s gateway with direct links to Brussels, Paris, and Berlin
The Hague, the Dutch seat of government and home to over 500 international organisations, is pushing to restore its direct rail connection to Brussels in Belgium by 2029. The city, which hosts institutions like the International Criminal Court, the United Nation’s International Court of Justice, and Europol, currently lacks a direct passenger link to the…
GoVolta to launch Amsterdam – Antwerp – Ghent – Paris route on 14 December as Berlin services expand and Hamburg link ends
Dutch train operator GoVolta has announced a major expansion of its cross-border services, with a new daily Amsterdam to Paris route set to launch on 14 December 2026. The company is also increasing its Berlin services to six times a week from July, while suspending its Hamburg link due to low passenger numbers.
GoVolta to halt Amsterdam to Hamburg service and focus on trains to Berlin
Dutch private train operator GoVolta will stop running trains from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Hamburg in Germany, train spotter Martijn van Vulpen reports.
NETHERLANDS | Rising international visitor numbers, domestic travel showed signs of stagnation in 2025
Tourism in the Netherlands continued to grow in 2025, driven almost entirely by rising international demand, even as domestic travel showed signs of stagnation.
Antwerp Hotel Association laments disappointing 2026 Easter Holiday
Antwerp’s hotels experienced a less successful Easter Holiday than hoped, according to the Antwerp Hotel Association. While rooms were well occupied during the Tour of Flanders weekend, a poor second week dragged the average down.
Leuven wins silver at European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards
The city of Leuven (Louvain) in Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium received a silver award at the fifth European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards, held in Brussels on Tuesday 21 April 2026. The awards, organised by the European Commission, recognise cities, municipalities, and regions that excel in promoting inclusion, diversity, and combating discrimination.
Travelski Night Express to serve French Alps from the Netherlands and Belgium for 2026-2027 ski season
A (new) overnight train service connecting the Netherlands and Belgium to the French Alps will begin operating this winter, offering skiers and snowboarders a sustainable alternative to traditional travel methods. The Travelski Night Express, a collaboration between Travelski, a subsidiary of Compagnie des Alpes, and Pegasus Trains, will provide weekly services from Amsterdam to Bourg-Saint-Maurice,…
NETHERLANDS | Purple Friday to move to the second Friday of October from 2026
From 2026 onwards, Dutch LGBTQIA+ organisation COC Nederland, in consultation with schools, will move Purple Friday (Paarse Vrijdag) to the beginning of the school year. The annual day of solidarity with LGBTQIA+ students will now take place on the second Friday of October, instead of in December.
European aviation braces for jet fuel shortage amid geopolitical crisis
European airlines and the European Commission are preparing for a potential jet fuel shortage that could ground flights across the continent. The crisis, already causing fuel restrictions in Italy, is raising alarms across Europe, with warnings that a systemic shortage could become a reality if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.