From 16 June 2027 to 11 November 2028, the Province of West Flanders, and the West Flemish and Flemish tourism agencies are organising a new theme with several local partners. It will focus on the First World War in the Westhoek region of our most westerly province. The theme is “Monuments & Moments” and events will centre on the 100th anniversary of a number of well-known war monuments.
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New boost for West Flemish Great War tourism as 'Monuments & Moments' theme year approaches
Colin Clapson
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The Westhoek is one of the most important international destinations for commemorative tourism honouring the Great War. In 2025, the district attracted more than 363,800 commemorative visitors, a slight increase compared to 2024. Half these tourists come from abroad. The largest number of foreign visitors, 28%, come from the United Kingdom.
"Together with the Flemish tourism agency Tourism Flanders, we are investing heavily in both infrastructure and content renewal. With a total package of 8 million euros for World War One sites and museums, and additional funds for the Monuments & Moments programme of events, we are demonstrating our ongoing commitment to high-quality commemorative tourism with an international appeal," Jurgen Vanlerberghe, the chair of the West Flemish tourism agency Westtoer and member of the West Flemish executive with special responsibility for tourism told VRT.
Food for thought
The theme year starts at a symbolic time. In the years 1927–1928, exactly 100 years ago soon, numerous monuments commemorating the conflict were unveiled in the Westhoek region. These include, for example, the Tyne Cot Memorial at the cemetery in Zonnebeke (19 June 2027), the Menin Gate , a monument to British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave, in Ieper (24 July 2027) and the Trench of Death in Diksmuide (2 October 2027). These anniversaries will encourage visitors today to reflect on war, loss, peace and remembrance.
‘Monuments & Moments highlights the courage and brave struggle of our ancestors for peace,’ says Flemish tourism minister Hans Bonte (Flemish socialist Vooruit). ‘In times of new global conflicts, it is extremely important that we pay extra attention to this. And that we preserve these places and stories for the future. We are allocating an extra budget for this this year. By continuing to invest in these historic sites, we are keeping the stories alive for future generations and continuing to put Flanders on the international map.’