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”
-
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! 😂🏨
Last News
Ukrainian Doctors Train in Antwerp for Kyiv Burn Centre Supported by Belgium
Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Doctors from Ukraine are acquiring practical experience in Antwerp under the auspices of a Belgian strategy which entails setting up a specific center in Ukraine, specifically in Kyiv, where burns could be effectively managed. This initiative was unveiled in mid-August, 2026 when a delegation paid a visit to Ukraine and included an investment of €10 million
Acquittal in Malta Leaves Daphne Case Unresolved
Businessman Yorgen Fenech has been found not guilty by a Maltese jury of being complicit in the 2017 assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Despite the verdict, which reflects a failure by prosecutors to convince t
The Solo Crusader Against Gianni Infantino
Visitatieschool Students to Use Renovated Cafeteria This School Year
Dendermonde (Eurotoday Newspaper) – Children at Visitatieschool will have lunch in the renovated refectory starting this school year, marking a significant improvement in daily school life for students and staff alike. The announcement comes as schools across Belgium reopen following summer break, with infrastructure upgrades taking centre stage in efforts to enhance the learning environment.
Were All Ottoman Sultans Followers of Sufism?
Early Period
Osman I and his son Orhan were members of the Vefâiyye sufi order led by the legendary grandmaster Edebâlî.
Murad I the Benevolent was a follower of the mystic Seyyid Mehmed Hammârî of Tabriz.
Bayezid I the Thunderbolt was a disciple of the Nurbakhshiyye order grandmaster Emir Sultan.
Mehmed I the Prince followed the Zeyniyye order’s leader Molla Fenari.
Murad II was a Mevlevî under
Witkoff and Kushner to Visit Moscow and Kyiv on Sunday
The two men have been important U.S. mediators in the halted Ukraine peace negotiations. Witkoff has taken multiple trips to Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2025 and early 2026 and has met with Zelenskyy in the U.S., Germany, and France. This upcoming jou
Belgian Jews Condemn Leuven’s Ban on Israeli Club Match as Antisemitic
Leuven (Eurotoday Newspaper) -The Mayor of Leuven, Mohamed Ridouani, has banned the playing of the Europa League game between Union Saint-Gilloise (USG) and Hapoel Be’er Sheva from Israel based on the grounds of safety concerns due to the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza and possible demonstrations. This was revealed at a meeting at Leuven City Council held early September 2026 and is valid w
Norway Detains Russian Vessel in Svalbard
The Professor Molchanov was detained
France downplays SpaceX, Blue Origin snub of "worst Macron-organized" summit
“There are American companies participating, and there will be announcements. We do not see a trend of the U.S. turning its back on Europe at this space summit,” stated another Elysée official. Amazon’s satellite business, Amazon Leo, will have o
Aarschot Sushi Restaurant Raises Funds for Nepal Flood Victims
Aarschot (Eurotoday Newspaper) – Sushi Pleintje in Aarschot has launched a fundraiser to support victims of the deadly August 2026 floods in Nepal, hoping to sell at least 100 benefit boxes as local businesses across Europe and beyond mobilize food-based charity drives in response to one of the region’s worst recent disasters.
What is the Sushi Pleintje fundraiser?
In the Flemish municipality of
Leave a Reply