The Antwerp hotel sector has asked the City of Antwerp to start the Christmas market earlier in coming years. Currently, it only starts after the feast of Saint Nicholas. The Christmas period is traditionally a peak period for Antwerp hotels and that’s why they would like to see the Christmas market last a little longer. ‘We would also like to attract tourists from further afield.’
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Antwerp hotels press for earlier start to Christmas market, eager to attract more US and Asian visitors
Colin Clapson
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The hotel sector is satisfied with an average occupancy rate of 65 to 70 per cent during the end-of-year period. ‘This is always a good period for Antwerp hotels,’ says Didier Boehlen, president of the Antwerp Hotel Association.
‘Demand is highest at New Year. The fireworks attract many tourists. The hotels are then very full. The weekends before, when people come for Christmas shopping, are also peak weekends for us. New Year now falls during the week, which is good. The weekends are always very busy.’
Christmas Day itself is a bit quieter. People mainly celebrate those days with their families. ‘Then the occupancy rate is around 50 per cent. That's also a good thing because it means that a lot of hotel staff can spend those days at home.’
Attracting more Asian and American tourists
Hotels in the old town are doing particularly well. Hotels outside the ring road have high occupancy levels particularly on Saturday evenings and New Year's Eve.
"Most of the visitors are Dutch nationals, with some Belgians and Germans. They usually stay for one or two nights. We would also like to attract more tourists from further afield. We are working on this. The city is looking into ways of attracting Asian and American tourists, for example, and getting Antwerp included in their itinerary. On the other hand, we also understand that people come for a short city break because they want to spend a few days with their families."
Earlier start to Christmas is a global phenomenon
The hotel sector hopes that the “Winter in Antwerp” festival, with its Christmas market, can start earlier. ‘We are looking to the city of Antwerp to make it happen. The Christmas market only starts after the feast of St Nicholas on 6 December. The city is quite attached to that tradition.’
In Hasselt and Brussels, for example, the Christmas market is already underway by then. ‘You also see that Christmas starts much earlier worldwide. You notice that Christmas decorations are already being put up in shops in mid-November. We hope that in the future the Christmas market can start two weeks earlier,’ says Didier Boehlen, president of the Antwerp Hotel Association.