
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
Aldi Recalls Zucchinis Due to Pesticide Levels in Belgium
Brussels, 24 August (Eurotoday Newspaper) – Aldi Belgium has recalled a batch of courgettes sold in its stores after excessive levels of the pesticide heptachlor were identified, with customers being told not to eat the affected vegetables. The Aldi courgette recall covers two-piece packs sold between 10 and 22 August 2026.
The recall is being carried out by Aldi Belgium on behalf of supplier Fr
Saudi Arabia to invest €6B in massive French theme park site
65-Year-Old Motorcyclist Injured in Hasselt Collision Sunday Evening
Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A 65 year old man from Hasselt sustained injury on a Sunday evening due to an accident involving a passenger car and a motorcycle in the city of Hasselt, situated in the Limburg province in Belgium.
This occurred within the police district of Limburg Regio Hoofdstad (LRH) that includes the Hasselt city and nearby municipalities. Based on reports by the loc
Rising Threats Confront Mediterranean Rescue Ships
SOS Méditerranée highlights increasing intimidation by vessels linked to Libya as UN data reveal a deadlier Central Mediterranean despite fewer crossings.
A humanitarian group warns of growing threats against migrants and rescue ships in the Central Mediterranean, including high-speed chases and violent interceptions by Libyan-linked vessels. SOS Méditerranée raises this concern as new Internati
Spain’s Sánchez Calls National Security Meeting 26 Days Into Ceuta Migration Crisis
Madrid
Colette Sauvage Reflects on 70 Turbulent Years of Marriage to Philippe Bouvard
Cannes, France, 24 August (Eurotoday Newspaper) – Colette Sauvage’s seven-decade marriage to French broadcaster Philippe Bouvard endured fame, long absences and serious marital strains, with his wife once revealing that she had even put his suitcases outside the door during difficult periods in their relationship.
The couple married in 1953 and remained together for more than 70 years, until Bou
Six EU Countries Aim to Tax Oil Windfall Profits
Star News Anchor Resigns as Partner Enters French Presidential Race
Arsenal Injury Update: Tzolis Shines and Odegaard Regains Form in London
London, 22 August (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Arsenal have received an encouraging Arsenal injury update on Bruno Guimaraes after the midfielder missed their 3-0 Premier League victory over Coventry City, while Christos Tzolis and Martin Odegaard provided Mikel Arteta with plenty of encouragement at the other end of the pitch.
The champions made a confident start to their title defence at the
How Ukraine Can Endure Another Winter
In the podcast, Zoya Sheftalovich and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Nick Vinocur explore the support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aims to obtain from the Coalitio



Leave a Reply