Both the Atomium and Mini Europe, the two main attractions in the Heysel Plateau, Brussels, have reported a slight drop in visitor numbers this summer, but are optimistic about the rest of the year.
Mini Europe, an amusement park featuring miniature reproductions of monuments from all over Europe, describes its summer results as “generally positive,” according to Chief Executive Officer Vinciane Meeus, who took over in June.
Attendance fell by 9% year-on-year in July and 5% in August. However, Meeus noted a 17% upsurge in intercontinental tourists and a marked return of Brussels and Francophone visitors.
Meeus attributes the park’s mixed summer to “major sporting events held in Europe, summer festivals, and political uncertainties in France and Belgium.”
Despite this, she remains “optimistic for a beautiful end of season,” thanks to new attractions introduced this year that were “highly appreciated by visitors this summer.”
For its part, the Atomium registered 188,000 visitors in July and August, slightly lower than the 190,000 reported last summer. Belgium's most popular attraction saw an increase in visitors from Flanders (+7% year-on-year), Italy (+10%), Great Britain (+10%), and the United States (+20%).
Overall, close to 590,000 visitors have been welcomed there since January this year. In 2023, over 840,000 were registered.
Atomium’s gift shop also had “record sales” over the summer, the company said, announcing plans to expand the premises in early 2025.
