While Belgian tourists travel to Spain frequently, the number of Spaniards visiting Brussels is also on the rise, Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort reported at seminars in Madrid and Barcelona on Wednesday.
Both Minister-President Vervoort and State Secretary for European and International Relations and Foreign Trade Ans Persoons are in the Spanish cities from Monday to Friday this week for the 17th year of this major international push, entitled 'Brussels Days'.
Vervoort showcased Brussels' tourist assets, including its exhibitions, the recent opening of the two Art Nouveau gems, Hotel Van Eetvelt and the Maison Hannon, and the newly-renovated Bourse with its 'Belgian Beer World'.
Ans Persoons outside Madrid's Royal Palace. Credit: Ans Persoons cabinet
Bringing Spaniards to Brussels
The Spanish tourist market is important for Brussels. Before the pandemic, Spain represented the second largest market with 6.8% of overnight stays in Brussels, but this figure fell to 6.2% last year. Almost two thirds of these stays were booked by tourists, with a peak during the holiday periods in August and December.
"These seminars are very timely, given that Spanish tourists book their December holidays at this time," explains CEO of visit.brussels, Patrick Bontinck. The event gives access to over 100 players from Madrid and Barcelona in the tourism sector.
According to a study carried out in collaboration with Flemish cities, Spanish tourists are the youngest visitors to Brussels with an average age of 33 (65% are under 35), while 58% travel with their other half. Spanish tourists also stay the longest in Brussels, with an average of 2.48 nights, and spend around €116 a day in the Belgian capital.
