Antwerp Hotel Expansion: 75 New Properties, 5,823 Rooms, Didier Boehlen Voices Concerns

Antwerp (Eurotoday): Antwerp now has 75 hotels with 5,823 rooms, up from 65 hotels in 2019. However, occupancy rates are below 70%. Didier Boehlen from the hotel association is concerned and wants to attract more conferences. The city plans to manage Airbnb and support new upscale hotels like Van der Valk and Botanic Sanctuary to increase tourism.

A few years ago, the Park Lane luxury care center in Antwerp lost its permit because of staff shortages and building issues. The building stayed empty until the Dutch hotel chain Van der Valk turned it into a luxury hotel, which has now opened. Another hotel is opening where the old Zillion nightclub was, and the Hilton Hotel is expanding. In 2019, Antwerp had 65 hotels with 4,946 rooms, but by May 2024, there are now 75 hotels with 5,823 rooms. Didier Boehlen from the Antwerp Hotel Association says there aren’t enough tourists to fill all these rooms, especially during the week.

How is Antwerp addressing low hotel occupancy rates?

Antwerp’s hotel federation is worried about low hotel earnings and usage rates below 70 percent. Didier Boehlen said they want to attract more conferences to bring in tourists. Ghent, which stopped new hotels, and Antwerp plans to control Airbnbs to prevent them from taking over. Boehlen believes this is important to keep tourism positive for residents.

Antwerp’s hotel federation thinks no new hotels should open for now, focusing instead on filling existing ones. Alderman Koen Kennis agrees but won’t rule out new projects if they meet market needs. Recently, hotels like Van der Valk and the five-star Botanic Sanctuary have added upscale rooms, which Kennis is happy about. This allows visitors, such as those attending concerts, to stay in Antwerp instead of traveling to Brussels. He believes there’s no oversupply in the high-end hotel market right now.


Comments

One response to “Antwerp Hotel Expansion: 75 New Properties, 5,823 Rooms, Didier Boehlen Voices Concerns”

  1. london fox Avatar
    london fox

    Oh joy, 75 hotels and still not enough tourists to fill a single room on a Tuesday! Maybe we should start handing out free waffles at the door – that ought to do the trick! 😂🏨

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

How Long to Register a UK Company: Timeline, Costs, and Common Delays

How Long to Register a UK Company: Timeline, Costs, and Common Delays

London, July 10, Eurotoday Newspaper – UK company registration timeline is drawing increased attention as thousands of entrepreneurs continue launching new businesses across Britain. Companies House says most online applications are processed within one working day, but registration times can vary depending on filing accuracy, verification requirements, and the method used to submit incorporatio

Read More

Eurozone Budgets Warned of Energy Shock

Eurozone Budgets Warned of Energy Shock

Finance ministers emphasize targeted support amid rising inflation, debt, and investment challenges.
Euro-area governments are being cautioned against broad spending in response to escalating energy costs, as finance ministers aim to support vulnerable households and businesses without undermining public finances. This warning follows the Eurogroup meeting and precedes EU finance ministers’ talks

Read More

Berlin Mayor Withdraws from Reelection Over Blackout Falsehood

Berlin Mayor Withdraws from Reelection Over Blackout Falsehood

Wegner’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) secured 28.2 percent of the votes in Berlin’s snap election in February 2023, following a Constitutional Court order to rerun the 2021 vote due to irregularities.
Since then, the party’s support in Berlin has fallen to 17 percent, reflecting a broader national trend. The CDU has lost standing to the far-right Alternative for German

Read More

Media Coverage: Essential for Business Growth in 2026

Media Coverage: Essential for Business Growth in 2026

London, July 10, Eurotoday – Media coverage for business is becoming one of the most valuable assets for companies looking to grow in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Public relations experts say businesses are investing more in news coverage to improve credibility, strengthen their online presence, and attract new customers. As consumers seek trustworthy information before making purcha

Read More

France Moves Within One Match of World Cup Final

France Moves Within One Match of World Cup Final

Mbappé and Dembélé overcame Morocco’s challenge in Boston, but the quarter-final highlighted the demands on Europe’s top teams in this expanded tournament
France advanced to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals with a composed 2-0 victory over Morocco in Boston, where second-half goals from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé transformed a tense quarter-final into a demonstration of French dominance. Mo

Read More

Police Investigate Ann Widdecombe’s Death as Murder

Police Investigate Ann Widdecombe’s Death as Murder

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the need to “rise above any political differences” to focus on finding Ann Widdecombe’s killer. He praised the former MP as a “distinguished politician” with “many achievements,” noting her death as a “huge, huge loss.”
Throughout the day, tributes were paid to Widdecombe, a long-time Conservative MP who s

Read More

Business Credibility Influences Investment, Hiring, and Customer Confidence

Business Credibility Influences Investment, Hiring, and Customer Confidence

London, July 10, Eurotoday Newspaper – Business credibility is emerging as a major factor influencing investment decisions, recruitment, and customer trust as companies compete in a rapidly evolving digital economy. Industry experts say businesses with strong reputations, transparent communication, and positive online visibility are gaining an advantage in attracting investors, talented professi

Read More

Venezuela Earthquake Disaster: Needs ‘Skyrocketing,’ Say Relief Agencies

Venezuela Earthquake Disaster: Needs ‘Skyrocketing,’ Say Relief Agencies

A compelling story has emerged about the rescue of a three-year-old in the severely affected northern region, where thousands still lack adequate shelter following the powerful earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck just seconds apart on June 24.
As the casualty count climbs, the urgent needs of the affected population are increasing, according to an online alert from the UN refugee ag

Read More

Senior Democrat Supports Trump’s Call for Increased European Defense Spending

Senior Democrat Supports Trump’s Call for Increased European Defense Spending

Emanuel stated, “The truth is we’re responsible for letting you get dependent on us.”
When asked about Trump’s call for increased defense spending, Emanuel replied, “Of course he does.”
Emanuel supported Trump’s proposal for NATO allies to allocate 5 percent of their GDP to defense by 2035, a commitment made at the 2025 NATO summit in The Hague. This proposal received criticism from Spanish Prime

Read More

Trump Shifts From Threats to Praise, Leaving NATO Allies Guessing at Summit

Trump Shifts From Threats to Praise, Leaving NATO Allies Guessing at Summit

ANKARA, July 09, Eurotoday Newspaper – The latest NATO summit in Ankara saw leaders of America’s allies grappling with the unpredictable nature of Donald Trump. As the U.S. president joined them, attendees faced a dichotomy: a leader who frequently praises the dedication of the alliance while simultaneously threatening to implode its foundations. This latest gathering proved that both sides of h

Read More