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
Four Years Later: LWF Sustains Hope in Ukraine
Reflecting on the four-year mark of the conflict in Ukraine, Bishop Pavlo Shvarts, head of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine, remarked, “It is a tragic day for our people and our history.” He expressed gratitude, saying, “We sincerely thank all of you who continue to pray for us and to keep our church in your heart.” Bishop Shvarts urged continued support for the church’s efforts
Inside the EU Ambassadors’ Crisis Bunker
Coreper meetings — regular assemblies of EU ambassadors — are increasing in frequency, showcasing how the bloc is evolving. Previously seen mainly as preparatory, these meetings now play a crucial role in shaping discussions before leaders meet.
The energy narrative progresses. The European Commission addresses Hungary’s alerts about disrupti
EU Eases Supply-Chain Due Diligence Rules
On Tuesday, 2
Merz Advocates for Adjusting Germany’s ‘Unhealthy’ Trade Relations with China
Responding to these concerns, Merz called for fair competition, emphasizing the need for transparency, reliability, and adherence to established
Updates on Temples in Brazil, the Philippines, Texas, and South Dakota
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that the groundbreaking services for the Teresina Brazil Temple will occur on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Elder Ciro Schmeil, First Counselor in the Brazil Area Presidency, will preside at the event.
As previously announced, the Teresina Brazil Temple will be built on a 3.60-acre site locate
Canada’s AI Minister Blames OpenAI for ‘Failure’ After Mass Shooting
OpenAI’s head of policy, Chan Park, alongside six other company representatives, met with members of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Cabinet on Tuesday in Ottawa — a meet
Somalia: Hungry Population Almost Doubles in One Year
La menace Trump plane sur l’accord de libre-échange UE-Mexique
Pour le Mexique, c’est une façon de réduire sa forte dépendance envers l’économie américaine. Cependant, cette dépendance même rend
Concerns Raised About ‘Coercive’ Repatriation of Burundian Refugees from Tanzania
By November 2025, Tanzania hosted over 140,000 Burundian refugees, having fled years of civil unrest in Burundi.
Though many are being “voluntarily repatriated”, a UNHCR official states thousands still require international protection in Tanzania.
About 17,000 express they can’t return due to safety concerns or fears of political persecution, including political opposition memb
Leave a Reply