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Your email address will not be published.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

UK Dispatches Warship to Hormuz Amid Rising Iran Military Tensions

UK Dispatches Warship to Hormuz Amid Rising Iran Military Tensions

London, United Kingdom – May 9, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Iran military tensions intensified after the British government confirmed the deployment of a Royal Navy destroyer toward the Middle East amid growing fears surrounding maritime security and possible operations connected to the Strait of Hormuz. The move highlights rising international concern over instability involving Iran, Western mil

Read More

EU nations ready repatriation of hantavirus ship passengers

EU nations ready repatriation of hantavirus ship passengers

Hantavirus, typically spread by infected rats, has seen six confirmed cases of the “Andes” subtype connected to a cruise ship, with two probable cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The Andes subtype is the only variant known to spread among humans.
The WHO aims to calm fears that this outbreak could lead to a global health emergency comparable to Covid-19. Plans by

Read More

Camels and Humans: 4000 Years of Partnership

Camels and Humans: 4000 Years of Partnership

Camels, known as some of the largest creatures in the terrestrial fauna, were once hunted in Asia for their tasty meat and milk. Over four thousand years ago, they were domesticated by humans, primarily for transportation across deserts. Recently, they have also become popular attractions.
In the past, camel racing in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries was a folk pastime. Today, i

Read More

Marc Marquez Ruled Out of Two Major MotoGP Races Due to Injury: Ducati Racing News 2026

Marc Marquez Ruled Out of Two Major MotoGP Races Due to Injury: Ducati Racing News 2026

Bologna, Italy – May 9, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Ducati racing news quickly became one of the biggest stories in international motorsports after Ducati confirmed that Marc Marquez will miss both the French Grand Prix and the Catalan Grand Prix because of a foot fracture suffered during training. The announcement has intensified concern across the MotoGP paddock as the championship battle enter

Read More

Israel to Free Activists from Gaza Aid Flotilla

Israel to Free Activists from Gaza Aid Flotilla

Two activists held by Israeli authorities following the interception of their aid flotilla headed for Gaza are set to be released “today,” according to the human rights organization Adalah on Saturday.
The Israeli Security Agency notified Adalah of the planned release on Saturday, and the organization stated it is “closely monitoring to ensure their release,” as mentioned i

Read More

11 Ways to Enrich Your Dog’s Life with Games and New Activities

11 Ways to Enrich Your Dog’s Life with Games and New Activities

Dogs may enjoy fetch, walks, and meals, but their lives can be even more exciting. While a good diet is crucial for health, you can also boost your dog’s mood with mental stimulation through enriching activities and games.
Dogs love playtime, puzzles, and activities because rewards from these enhance their confidence and cognitive abilities. Enrichment doesn’t have to be complex or resource

Read More

Sony and TSMC Aim for Next-Gen Chip Expansion in Japan by 2026 Amid AI Imaging Tech Boom

Sony and TSMC Aim for Next-Gen Chip Expansion in Japan by 2026 Amid AI Imaging Tech Boom

TOKYO, Japan – May 8, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — AI imaging technology is becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global semiconductor industry as Sony and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) reportedly move forward with plans for a major joint venture in Japan focused on next-generation image sensors.
Industry analysts believe the proposed partnership could significantl

Read More

Putin Leads Smaller Victory Day Celebration Amid Temporary Ceasefire

Putin Leads Smaller Victory Day Celebration Amid Temporary Ceasefire

Putin addressed the crowd on Saturday morning, referencing the sacrifices made during the Second World War to garner support for his troops fighting in Ukraine.
“The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the warriors carrying out the tasks of the special military operation today,” said the Russian leader, referring to the Kremlin’s term for the Ukraine invasion.
“They face a

Read More

Konstantin Rudnev: Russian Transnational Repression in Argentina

Konstantin Rudnev: Russian Transnational Repression in Argentina

In Argentina, justice is currently a chaotic affair, reminiscent of a football match with fewer rules and more aggression. Judges have ordered the transfer of Konstantin Rudnev, a 58-year-old Russian spiritual teacher with serious lung issues, from maximum-security prison to house arrest three times. Prosecutors, however, are determined to keep him incarcerated, appealing every decision as if it

Read More

Samsung Wage Dispute Escalates, Shocking South Korea’s Tech Industry Ahead of Seoul 2026

Samsung Wage Dispute Escalates, Shocking South Korea’s Tech Industry Ahead of Seoul 2026

SEOUL, South Korea  – May 8, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — South Korea tech industry leaders are closely monitoring Samsung Electronics after the company’s labor union confirmed plans to enter mediation talks over a growing wage dispute. The negotiations are attracting worldwide attention because Samsung remains one of the most influential semiconductor and electronics manufacturers in the global e

Read More