First World War memorial sites in the Westhoek area of West Flanders are once again attracting almost as many tourists as they did during the major commemoration period from 2014 to 2018, marking the centenary of the Great War, and the year before the pandemic. Then around 360,000 visitors per year visited, whereas now the number of visitors is around 350,000, according to figures from Flemish tourism minister Melissa Depraetere (Flemish socialist Vooruit).
We are also seeing a change in the profile of war tourists. Around 52 percent, just over half of the visitors, come from abroad. They include many British visitors. They are finding their way back to the Westhoek region after the pandemic and Brexit, when customs checks were reintroduced on travellers entering the EU from the UK.
In March of that Brexit year, 2020, the pandemic struck, dealing an additional blow to war tourism. Just before the pandemic, in 2019, some 415,800 tourists visited war memorials. At that time, 41 percent of visitors came from Belgium, 33 percent from Britain, and 10 percent from the Netherlands. During the First World War commemoration period between 2014 and 2018, annual visitor numbers were higher for a period due to the many festivities organised for the occasion.
In 2023, around 94,600 visitors from the United Kingdom came to Belgium. That is an increase of almost half since 2022. Although that is still a quarter lower than in 2019, the trend is clearly upward. “You get used to everything, including the formalities that Brexit entails,” says Jurgen Vanlerberghe, chair of the provincial tourism authority Westtoer.
“The First World War is, of course, very closely linked to the history of the United Kingdom. Most of the Westhoek region was in the British sector. It goes without saying that this still offers great appeal for many people to come and visit the war sites.”
Promotion of war tourism
"In addition, together with the province of West Flanders and tourism agency Tourism Flanders, we have continued to focus on commemorative tourism, including targeting visitors from abroad. Themed years also attract many visitors. One example is ‘Landscapes’, a theme year running from April 2023 to August 2024. The focus was on the lasting impact of that devastating war on the landscape."
“And in two years' time, in 2027, the theme year ‘Monuments & Moments’ is planned. We will focus on the many memorials in our region. We always make links with contemporary themes. In that way, we can keep the event relevant, and that is clearly appreciated.”
Also popular with Dutch and American visitors
In addition to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands (46,000) and the United States (7,000) are the most important countries of origin for visitors to the Westhoek. Compared to 2019, tourists are booking longer stays. In 2019, this was the case for 69 percent of visitors, and last year this rose to 73 percent.
“The figures show that people are not just taking day trips, but are consciously choosing to stay for several days,” says Flemish MP Gijs Degrande (Flemish nationalist N-VA). “That's good news for the local economy and proves that remembrance tourism remains a sustainable pillar of tourism in the Westhoek region.”
Almost one in five visitors also combines a visit to West Flemish war sites with a visit to sites in northern France. “The memory of the First World War does not stop at the border. Flanders must further strengthen its cooperation with France, both with regard to the promotion of tourism and to organise joint heritage projects,” Degrande added.