Withlocals now also available in Brussels

Brussels adds another name to its list of online marketplaces that connect travellers with local hosts, with the addition of Withlocals. The “marketplace for unique travel experiences with real locals” is now also available in Brussels, as it joins a growing list of Withlocals locations around the world, from France to Nepal.

The way Withlocals works is simple: Local residents sign up to be a host on Withlocals, offering various services for a price of their own choosing. Tourists are then free to book the services, such as a homemade meal or guided tour.

Withlocals is new on the scene in Brussels, and has therefore had to prove itself amongst a number of similar initiatives. "The first difference is that we do not limit ourselves to just a dinner party, or a tour, or a workshop... we do it all," says Withlocals CEO Dick Koopman on Brusselnieuws. "Plus, we have strong marketing. For example, after just three days of advertising on Facebook in Belgium, we already had more than 50 hosts."

"The process takes some time because we first pay a visit to each host," says Koopman. The seasons also play a role, he adds, with more tourists expected to visit Belgium in late March. By then, Withlocals will also be available in Bruges and Antwerp, says the CEO.