Belgium’s Federal Government has approved an update to the performance contract of rail infrastructure manager Infrabel, paving the way for a series of new railway investment projects aimed at improving safety, reliability and capacity, particularly in port areas.
Tag: Politics
Antwerp refines Tree Plan: continued focus on Future Trees and green volume
The City of Antwerp is taking further steps to sustainably strengthen its urban greenery, with an update to the existing Tree Plan (Bomenplan). This includes concrete guidelines to place an even stronger emphasis on Future Trees and on the sustainable expansion of green volume across the city.
WEST FLANDERS | Westhoek World War I ‘Monuments & Moments’ theme year 2027-2028
From 16 June 2027 to 11 November 2028, the Province of West Flanders, together with Westtoer/Toerisme Westhoek, Toerisme Vlaanderen and local partners, will organise ‘Monuments & Moments‘, a new World War I theme year in the Westhoek region.
FLANDERS | Six heritage organisations receive new official recognition mark
In September 2025, he Flemish Minister of Culture, Caroline Gennez (Vooruit), has officially recognised six collection-managing organisations: Archief Lier, the University Archives of KU Leuven, Kunstenbibliotheek & Muziekbibliotheek in Ghent, Liberation Garden in Leopoldsburg (Bourg-Léopold) HEY Museum in Knokke-Heist and Kazerne Dossin in Mechelen (Malines, Mechlin)
Morocco records historic tourism year with 19.8 million visitors in 2025
The Kingdom of Morocco welcomed approximately 19.8 million visitors in 2025, marking the highest number of tourists ever recorded by the country. The figure represents a year-on-year increase of 14% compared with 2024 and brings the North African destination to the threshold of what the government has described as the “symbolic milestone” of 20 million…
Antwerp Pride 2026 adopts ‘Fearless’ theme and calls for resilience and visibility
2026 marks the nineteenth (19th) edition of Antwerp Pride. From Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 August, Antwerp in Belgium will once again be taken over by rainbow vibes. Prides are a mix of celebration – parties – and activism and advocacy. For the 2026 edition, the organising committee focuses on fearing less and being fearless.
ANTWERP | Final design approved for Ringpark Groene Vesten: four sub-parks in Berchem to be built from late 2027
The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Antwerp has approved the final design for Ringpark Groene Vesten, a project that will connect eight sub-parks just outside the Antwerp Ring road into a continuous green belt.
2025 North Carolina Family Visit: Leland – Wilmington – Southport – Fort Fisher – Saint James
Easter 2025. I’m visiting my uncle and aunt in Leland, North Carolina. It’s my first trip of two to the United States in 2025. I haven’t seen them live since February 2020 just before the first lockdown and I haven’t travelled to this area since 2019. I’m flying with SAS and Delta. The itinerary: Brussels…
Antwerp holds on to ‘Diamond City’ image as global trade continues to contract
Even as Antwerp’s diamond trade suffers one of the most severe downturns in its modern history, the City of Antwerp continues to promote diamonds as a cornerstone of its identity and a key tourist attraction. Through Visit Antwerpen, the city presents itself as the world’s Diamond City, inviting visitors to discover a thriving, prestigious sector…
RAIL BALTICA | Baltic operators launch joint tender for regional trains
August 2025. We’re travelling to the Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and more specifically their respective capitals Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Are they interconnected by rail? Yes, but not in the most straightforward or userfriendly way possible. The Rail Baltica project should remedy this. Unsurprisingly though, this megaproject faces political and budgetary hurdles. It…