Tomorrowland is big business for Brussels hotels

The world-famous Tomorrowland music festival in Flanders provides an economic boost for more than just the Boom area in which it is held: Brussels hotels have at least 60,000 overnight stays booked over the two festival weekends.

“This kind of event brings a smile to the faces of hoteliers and contributes significantly to the turnover of the hotel sector in July,” Rodolphe Van Weyenbergh of the Brussels Hotel Association told Bruzz.

“The impact on the hotel sector is huge. Tomorrowland is the most important festival for the hotel sector.”

Hotels in the capital expect an occupancy rate of 90% during the festival. The festival has 40 partner hotels in the capital, but the whole industry is feeling the positive effects, Van Weyenbergh said.

“Not only the hotel sector benefits from the festival, but also the tourism sector in general,” he added.

Brussels Airlines, to cite an example, is transporting more than 14,000 festivalgoers this year.

Many foreign festivalgoers arrive ahead of the festival and visit other sites in Belgium, including cities such as Bruges and Ghent. Those staying in the capital for the duration of their visit can take advantage of 160 shuttles running daily from Brussels to Boom.

This year's festival has visitors from more than 120 countries, said Tomorrowland spokeswoman Debby Wilmsen

“They brought flags of their own countries, which we will make into one big flag and roll them out at the festival, which promises to be a spectacle,” she said.

Festivalgoers staying in Brussels during the week can enjoy relaxing activities at the Osseghem Park in Laeken, such as yoga and massages. A concert is also planned at the Vaudeville theatre with a symphony orchestra playing dance classics.

Photo: Jonas Roosens/Belga