The property was acquired from Covivio Hotels. Hotel operations will remain unchanged, with the property continuing to be operated by Essendi under the Novotel brand, managed by Accor.

Located less than two kilometres from Brussels Airport, the hotel occupies a strategic position close to both the airport and Zaventem railway station. It offers 209 soundproofed rooms, meeting facilities, a restaurant, fitness centre, parking and “Park, Sleep & Fly” packages, while a complimentary shuttle connects guests with the airport in around five minutes.

Its accessibility is expected to improve further with the future airport tram, which will place the hotel just two stops from the terminal, reducing the journey to around five minutes. The tram is part of wider efforts to improve sustainable access to Belgium’s busiest airport.

The acquisition reflects Brussels Airport Company’s strategy of diversifying its activities through investments directly linked to airport operations. The airport operator already owns the Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel, located opposite the terminal, and has announced plans to develop a new hotel adjacent to the terminal by 2032.

The latest investment comes as Brussels Airport continues to experience sustained passenger growth. The airport expects around 5.2 million travellers to pass through its terminals during July and August, a 4% increase compared with the same period last year. To cope with rising demand, it has expanded self-service baggage facilities, is deploying additional staff during peak travel periods and is preparing to introduce new security screening technology in the coming years.

Accessibility to the airport is also set to improve beyond road transport. From December 2027, new overnight rail services operated by NMBS/SNCB will connect Bruges, Ghent and Brussels with Brussels Airport before dawn, making early morning departures easier for passengers and reducing reliance on cars, taxis and overnight accommodation.

Together with planned investments in rail, tram and airport infrastructure, the acquisition of the Novotel property highlights Brussels Airport Company’s broader ambition to develop the airport precinct into an increasingly integrated transport, business and hospitality hub.

L’article Brussels Airport expands hotel portfolio with acquisition of Novotel est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Ever since 1965, Brussels’ Royal Palace has been opening its doors to the public during the Summer season. Traditionally, those visits start after Belgium’s national holiday on 21 July and run until September, giving locals and tourists a chance to take a look behind the royal scenes.

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However, visits to the Palace had been suspended since 2022 as the building was undergoing extensive renovation works on the façade and the windows. Ever since, visitors have only had access to a virtual tour through the website of the Belgian Monarchy.

On 3 July 2026, the Palace once again opened its doors, an event that was attended by King Filip and Queen Mathilde, who personally visited the exhibitions. These include ‘Louise d’Orléans, Becoming a Queen’ by the Royal Association for Dynasty and Cultural Heritage, ‘Music, Sound and Imagination’ by Belspo, ‘Selection of Dream Machines’ by MyMachine, and ‘The Royal Palace as a Memory Palace’ by Het Geheugenpaleis.

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Aside from the temporary exhibitions, a visit to the Palace also includes a large number of state rooms and salons. Some of the most well-known highlights include:

• The Empire Room. Situated in the oldest part of the Palace, this was the ballroom of the Austrian imperial representative. It includes works of Jean-Louis Van Geel and a Kerman rug, offered to King Leopold II by Muzaffar al Din Shah of Persia during a state visit to Belgium in 1900. In the past, the room served as the setting for concerts, court balls and other ceremonies. It is still used to organise ceremonies today.
• The Throne Room. Built under the reign of King Leopold II, the Throne Room is decorated in the centre by four low reliefs by Auguste Rodin, representing the economic activities symbolising the Belgian provinces, as well as with paintings by Thomas Vinçotte. The oak parquet, exotic woods, and gilded chandeliers make for a monumental appearance.
• The Mirror Room. Construction of the Mirror Room began under the reign of Leopold II and was meant to evoke the Congo. King Albert I completed the decoration with wall mirrors, and in 2002, Belgian artist Jan Fabre created an artwork called ‘Heaven of Delight’ in this space, covering the ceiling and one of the three chandeliers with nearly a million and a half jewel beetles. The Mirror Room is used regularly to host events.

The opening season of 2026 runs from 3 July until 16 August, which is notably earlier than usual. The reason for this is a state visit to Belgium by the Danish royal couple in early September, which entails some preparation work beforehand in order to make the state rooms accessible.

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Visitors are required to book their tickets to the Royal Palace beforehand through the official website. As of 2026, entrance to the Palace is no longer free of charge, as the Belgian Science Policy no longer covers the costs of the opening due to budget cuts. Adults pay €10 for their visit, while children under 13 can enter for free but should still book a time slot. The Palace is open until 16 August 2026 but will be exceptionally closed on 15, 16, 20, and 21 July.

L’article Brussels’ Royal Palace reopens to the public for the first time since 2022 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Though the convenient access and manageable size of Antwerp had proved a boon for regional travellers, TUI had already shrunk its operations there in recent months, ceasing to fly to a number of popular holiday spots and signalling the end of its schedules there. Now it has announced that two flights on 24 March 2027 to Alicante and 25 March 2027 to Málaga will be its last.

TUI has said it intends to centralise more flight operations at Brussels Airport and Ostend-Bruges Airport, generating efficiency gains and flexibility over its fleet, with no job losses anticipated.

Similar consolidation moves are being taken across Europe’s carriers. Lufthansa is wiping up to 20,000 European flights from schedules and winding down Lufthansa CityLine operations to consolidate its short- and medium-haul traffic across hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, and Brussels. In addition, Air France-KLM is bringing executive functions and newly acquired airlines (like SAS) into its Paris and Amsterdam folds.

Indeed, at the Airlines for Europe (A4E) summit in Brussels earlier this year, chiefs at Lufthansa Group, Air France-KLM, and IAG (owner of British Airways and Iberia) all urged authorities to make consolidation easier for the sake of European competitiveness.

That direction of travel risks leaving smaller airports out in the cold. The very existence of Antwerp Airport has been controversial in recent times, as environmental campaigners have questioned the emissions implications of smaller regional airfields and economic hawks have claimed that the airport is not deserving of its subsidies.

For now, though, Antwerp will continue to serve corporate and private travel, operate training flights, as well as scheduled services for airlines other than TUI, such as SkyAlps flights to Bolzano, Italy, and the winter timetable from ASL Fly Executive to Sion, gateway to Verbier, as well as Innsbruck, and Ibiza.

The airport has said it “regrets” the TUI move, but Nathan De Valck, CEO, insisted “our top priority now is to continue providing services for TUI fly and its passengers in the coming months without interruption. Together with TUI fly, the airport will ensure that the remaining operations run smoothly, safely, and professionally until the end of the winter season.”

The airport is also working to expand its airline network and respond to critics by achieving a more stable financial footing. To that end, it has recently developed a new pricing structure, it said.

L’article No more TUI flights for Antwerp Airport from early 2027 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The summer of 2025 saw 1.6 million international fares purchased in Belgium, up from 1.5 million in the same period of 2024, an increase that commentators are attributing in part to expanding connectivity reaching a wider range of destinations. From the Belgian capital, it is now possible to take the train to 6000 destinations across fifteen European countries, with 1000 of them six hours or fewer away.

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Sustainability is also a key factor driving rail uptake, which has seen a more than 50% increase since 2019. A recent Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel survey by the European Travel Commission found that over three-quarters (76%) of Europeans say climate-related factors influence their travel behaviour. Tying in with that data, NMBS/SNCB pointed out how few carbon emissions per kilometre are generated by train compared to commercial aviation. Travelling by train emits about 80% to 90% less carbon dioxide per passenger-kilometre than flying. The same is true for trains versus cars (depending on occupancy and car-pooling rates), and, what’s more, trains cause less stress and provide more comfort than planes or cars for travelling city to city, the operator claims.

France is the preferred destination for Belgians, who can easily reach northern French cities such as Paris and Lille, as well as those further afield and in the south, such as Lyon, Avignon, and Montpellier. Cross-channel journeys to the UK capital, London, are also a frequent choice, alongside Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and Cologne and Berlin in Germany. More far-flung destinations like Austria, Czechia, Italy, and Spain are also becoming more and more sought-after.

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International passengers will find the offer from Belgium expanding further in the coming years, thanks to NMBS/SNCB plans to connect to 8,000 international train destinations by 2030, a “continuously growing range” which the operator says, “confirms the role of Brussels South Station as an important international hub in Europe, with nearly 300,000 travelers weekly.”

An important element of that expansion activity is the Belgian operator’s deepening relationship with foreign train companies. With French operator SNCF, it will be growing the OUIGO service, and a collaboration with Switzerland’s SBB will extend the Brussels-Strasbourg route (TGV INOUI service) to link to Basel in Switzerland. In addition, since 2024, Belgium has been cooperating with Dutch NS to run Eurocity Direct, a service offering direct trains from Brussels to Amsterdam South or Rotterdam.

L’article International rail travel from Belgium rises 6% as demand keeps growing est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Belgian flag carrier welcomed a new A320neo on 2 July 2026, taking the refresh of its medium-haul stable, started in 2023, to a total of eight neos. Another five neos are in the pipeline. Overall, when those deliveries have been made, the Lufthansa Group member will boast a diverse fleet of 46 aircraft.

In addition to the significant contribution made by the A320neos to reducing noise in the skies over the Belgian capital, the A320neo is more fuel efficient, consuming only around 80% of the fuel of its predecessor and helping to lower CO₂ emissions.

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During an event attended by Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele, Flemish minister of Environment Jo Brouns, and Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist, the airline’s CEO Dorothea von Boxberg said Brussels Airlines had managed to reduce aircraft noise pollution by half compared to 2014.

Noise pollution has been an ongoing issue at the airport, which is surrounded by districts brandishing a list of grievances about noise, night flights, and sleep disturbances emanating from the hub. Thousands of rule breaches have caused millions in federal fines as local authorities have clashed with national lawmakers over the problem. Airlines, too, owe the airport millions in unpaid penalties for noisy flights.

As well as highlighting the recent improvement in noise pollution, stakeholders at Thursday’s meeting went on to discuss the so-called “balanced approach” procedure that now forms part of Brussels Airport’s environmental licensing agreement. The hub’s permit was rescinded in 2025 because it imposed restrictions on flights and nighttime operations without having followed the European Union’s mandatory “balanced approach”.

The balanced approach is intended to ensure that four pillars (quieter aircraft, better land-use planning, modified flight paths, and lastly, operational restrictions) are taken into account when issuing permits. It aims to find a workable compromise that supports the airport’s economic growth and daytime flight capacity while minimising disturbance and environmental impacts on neighbouring communities.

Both the Flemish and Belgian federal governments have officially launched “balanced approach” procedures. The Flemish Minister for the Environment has until 30 June 2029 to carry out the necessary assessments in line with EU regulations and issue a new environmental permit.

L’article Brussels Airlines cuts aircraft noise pollution by 50% in last decade est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Since the 1960s, the Brussels regional tourist office has had an office on the Grand-Place, Brussels central square. It was generally considered a remnant of the so-called ‘Belgique Joyeuse’ era, which included the Expo ’58 and Brussels’ Atomium. However, on 30 June 2026, employees definitively shut the door on visit.brussels’ last physical location – the Brussels Info Place (BIP) on Place Royale already shut down in April.

“The tourist office was able to provide tailor-made guidance to tourists, have a quick chat and send them on their way with a smile. This artisanal dimension of the tourist office will no longer be found here. Every tourist who arrives here tomorrow will have to do without any information. Only Google or the search engines can help them,” commented employee and trade unionist Martin Dekeyser on 30 June, adding that Brussels would be losing a piece of its history.

The closures are the direct consequence of a series of budget cuts imposed by the Brussels Capital Region government. Over time, visit.brussels will lose 64% of its subsidies. In 2026, the regional tourist office will have to operate with €3 million less; by 2029, the loss in subsidies will amount to €6 million.

The subsidy cuts don’t just entail the closure of the physical offices. Overall, 37 out of 159 full-time staff at visit.brussels will have to leave, which is being organised through a voluntary departure plan agreed with the Brussels government. Although the cuts are part of the government’s austerity plan, the unions consider it to be a political rather than an economic choice, stating that although they were presented as inevitable, other choices could have been made.

““We used to help hundreds of visitors every day. During major events, we were even helping as many as 2,000 people a day find their way around Brussels. But that’s all over now. This is a European capital, yet there’s no tourist information service here anymore. From now on, everyone is expected to look everything up online. I simply cannot understand that decision,” former employee Diana Ladrak, who worked at the visit.brussels Grand-Place location for approximately 30 years, told the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.

Brussels’ international trade and promotion offices, too, have been hit hard by the budget cuts. In April, the government announced it would be shutting down at least 14 of its 33 overseas offices, including those in Milan, Barcelona, Geneva, and Shanghai.

With visit.brussels’ last physical location now closed, tourists visiting the Belgian capital and its surroundings will now be forced to look for information online or at their hotel. The Flanders Information Centre and the Visit Wallonia office both closed down over the past year in what seems to be a wave of digitalisation.

L’article Brussels closes its last remaining tourist office amid budget cuts est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Knokke-Heist is already one of the most popular coastal towns in Belgium, and starting from 2027, the attraction is only likely to grow. In a press release published on 26 June 2026, the municipality announced the creation of a new culinary event, called Couverts sur Mer, starting in the summer of 2027.

During two weekends at the start of the summer season, from Friday 25 June until Sunday 27 June and from Friday 2 July until Sunday 4 July 2027, the beach in front of the famous Casino will be transformed into a culinary haven. Some 30 chefs based in Knokke-Heist will be bringing their signature dishes all the way to the seafront, marking an unprecedented dining opportunity in Knokke-Heist.

“Knokke-Heist has long been renowned as a destination where gastronomy, hospitality, and quality take centre stage. Couverts sur Mer fits in perfectly with that identity and adds a unique event that literally showcases our culinary strengths by the sea,” the municipal council of Knokke-Heist commented.

Couverts sur Mer will be held in a 5000 square meter beach pavilion, but, contrary to what one might think, the organisers don’t want it to be an ordinary food festival. Instead, gastronomy, hospitality, and lifestyle should come together in order to create an event where chefs, innovative culinary concepts, artisanal producers, and premium drinks stand central. Couverts sur Mer should become a true representative of what the town has to offer on a culinary level.

“By bringing together top local chefs, inspiring culinary talents, visitors and entrepreneurs at an exceptional venue, this initiative not only enhances the experience of our coast, but also boosts Knokke-Heist’s reputation as a leading gastronomic destination in Belgium. We are therefore proud that this first edition is being launched here and believe that Couverts sur Mer can become a fixture on the national culinary calendar,” the municipal council continued.

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Thanks to the spectacular location, which is being described as an elegant and imposing pavilion that couldn’t be closer to the North Sea, and the impressive culinary line-up, the organisation expects to welcome some 15,000 visitors over the two weekends. The event should therefore create a boost for the local hospitality sector, including the more than 200 local restaurants, hotels, retail, and tourism in general.

At the time of writing, the exact line-up has not been published, and tickets for the event have not yet gone on sale. Whether or not a ticket will grant access to Couverts sur Mer for the whole weekend is therefore unclear as of yet, as is the ticket price. Those who are interested in attending can sign up on the event’s website in order to be kept informed about any further developments.

L’article Knokke-Heist launches gastronomic beach event Couverts sur Mer in 2027 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Go on a photo quest in a park or garden

Vlaams-Brabant has no lack of beautiful parks and gardens, full of history and natural beauty, which offer a never-ending amount of fun for adults and children alike. In order to make those places as unforgettable as possible – even for the youngest ones in the family – both VISIT Vlaams-Brabant and many of the individual locations have put together kid-friendly photo quests.

For example, VISIT Vlaams-Brabant has designed five itineraries in just as many different locations: Gaasbeek Castle, Beersel Castle, Park of Tervuren, recreation park Zoet Water, and Park Drie Fonteinen. Thanks to the dedicated hiking sheets designed specifically in such a way as to keep children entertained, you will be able to keep track of your journey, while a special photo quest will keep the youngest ones engaged. The sheets also include some noteworthy places of interest, such as an unmissable ice cream shop or a playground.

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One of the photo quest options is the Brabant draught horse walk, where hikers get to explore the grounds surrounding Gaasbeek Castle. Winding paths, grand forests, and impressive castles might well lead you towards thee grandest inhabitants of the region: the Brabant draught horses. During the walk, children are invited to count the ducks and to spot the castle’s fences, among other things. At the castle, children who just can’t get enough can even get their hands on an activity booklet called Arnoldus the Mouse for some extra fun, which may or nor be followed by a stop at ice cream shop Krijmerie.

The Meise Botanic Garden, too, has a range of kid-friendly activities on offer, especially during the Summer months. One of the most accessible ones is the King Amaryllo treasure hunt, which is perfect for children aged 4 to 12. Through a special activity booklet, kids and their parents are taken on a tour through the park, which varies slightly depending on the season. During Summer, the emphasis lies on the tropical plants decorating the terraces and on the Culinary Garden, where everything grows in abundance. Adventurous souls can enjoy on a walk on the Amaze-Your-Feet Path.

When visiting a park, garden, or even a museum in Vlaams-Brabant, do not hesitate to ask for some kid-friendly activities. And to turn that visit into a true adventure, make sure to kickstart the experience with the right gear. A little backpack with a snack and even a pair of binoculars will make the youngest family members feel as if they were to set off on a once-in-a-lifetime quest.

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Become the next cycling superstar

Belgium is well-known for its cycling heroes, including Remco Evenepoel, Thibau Nys, Jasper Stuyven, and Eddy Merckx. Vlaams-Brabant in particular is home to some of the most iconic Belgian cycling routes, taking tourists and sports enthusiasts on a picturesque tour through the countryside.

Those who want to follow in the tyre tracks of Eddy Merckx or Sven Nys, while enjoying some quality time with their family and training their kids to become the next cycling superstars, can do so thanks to a selection of seven family-friendly bike trails.

Ranging in length from 23 kilometers to 47 kilometers from start to finish, the trails are easier and safer versions of the world-famous cycling routes which you might recognise from the official races. On the one hand, they are easy enough to take turn them into a family-friendly day trips, on the other hand, even adults will be happy when it’s time for a pitstop at the local ice cream shop. A cycling session never tasted as good.

Take a walk on the wild side

Although Brussels might be just around the corner, Vlaams-Brabant has no lack of nature. With its formidable forests, wide fields, and winding waterways, it makes for the perfect place to go on a hike and reconnect with your wild side.

However, keeping kids entertained when walking for a couple of hours on end is no easy task. Luckily, VISIT Vlaams-Brabant has made a handy list of six kid-friendly walks, which all have something unforgettable – and adventurous – to offer.

During the 4.5-kilometer-long Zoet Waterwandeling, for example, kids will get the opportunity to drink from a natural source, to wander around the forest, and to leave all leftover energy at a gigantic playground. Those who want to make the fun last even longer can book a stay at one of the tipi tents at the nearby Duckwing, immersed in nature.

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For those who prefer an activity booklet over a playground, the Witte door Zichem walk will make the ideal summery day trip. During the 3.3-kilometre walk, which starts at Zichem Station, the youngest ones will be asked to complete a number of challenges, while funny comics and interesting facts provide some extra entertainment on the way. And if you choose to book a stay at the local Link farm, they might even get to ride a tractor or hug some farm animals.

No matter the hiking route you end up choosing, family-friendly adventures are guaranteed.

L’article 3 family-friendly day trips near Brussels est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In 2024, Flanders’ regional airports in Antwerp, Ostend, and Kortrijk received some €13 million worth of operating subsidies, along with investment funding. However, despite those subsidies, the airports of both Antwerp and Kortrijk recorded losses during the same year, while Ostend’s profit was mainly due to a non-recurring income boost of €0.5 million, according to Flemish Mobility minister Annick De Ridder.

Overall, the airports of Antwerp and Kortrijk have been encountering financial problems for a while. In 2022, a cost-benefit study showed that closing both regional airports would be the most financially viable solution. And in October 2025, it became known that Antwerp’s operator was the subject of a so-called “alarm bell procedure”, meaning that any creditor may apply to the court asking the company to be wound up.

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However, Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder is not planning on closing the regional airports. Previously, she said that another cost-benefit study had proven that Ostend’s added value would add up to €100 million, while Antwerp’s amounted to €70 million. And although an official report has not yet been published, in February 2026, De Ridder stated that Ostend and Antwerp are once again making a profit.

At the time of writing, the Mobility minister is working on a document concerning new funding agreements in order to determine how to make the regional airports less dependent on government funding, with the aim of lowering the subsidies in the future. Some of the proposed tactics include developing unused land, increasing passenger numbers, improving bus connections, and installing solar panels.

However, the plan has already been rejected multiple times by the Flemish government. According to critics, the document does not successfully determine how the three regional airports that are struggling financially are supposed to become financially independent.

“Cutting subsidies without a clear vision is not a policy. As long as there is no viable business model for the regional airports, no recovery plan for their alarming financial situation, and no serious answer to the question of what outstanding subsidy arrears remain, those funds will continue to disappear into a bottomless pit”, commented Bogdan Vanden Berghe, member of the Flemish Parliament.

Industry expert Luk De Wilde adds that the airports’ main issue is a lack of traffic, both regarding passengers and cargo.

The news comes at a time when the European Commission is planning on introducing stricter rules for government subsidies, particularly in the aviation industry. The plan includes limiting operating aid to a period of five years, ending investment subsidies for all airports handling over three million passengers a year, and cancelling the support for starting new routes. Industry stakeholders, including the Airports Council International Europe, are criticising the proposed changes.

L’article Flemish government plans less subsidies for regional airports est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Every year, approximately 1.3 million tourists go on a guided boat tour through Bruges, also known as the Venice of the North. Most of the operators use speakers to provide visitors with information about the city’s history and culture. Yet tourists aren’t the only ones to catch the message.

@ciarainitaly Must do activity in Bruges Belgium such a great way to see the place! #belgium #bruges #belgio #thingstodoinbruges #thingstodoinbelgium #visitbelgium #visitbruges #boattour #europeansummer #irishabroad ♬ Up Beat (Married Life) – Kenyi

Locals, too, are hearing what the tourist guides are proclaiming, and they aren’t happy about it. According to the city council, many residents contact them by mail or phone in order to complain about the noise caused by the speakers on tourist boats.

This has led the city to announce a ban on the use of loudspeakers on boats as of 2029.

“This is an issue of balance and quality. We have held consultations with the relevant stakeholders and have sought to achieve the greatest possible consensus between the wishes of the city council, the interests of our residents and those of the ferry companies,” Minou Esquenet, Bruges’ alderwoman for Tourism, told the Belgian news agency Belga.

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Although the council has yet to approve the measure, the decision isn’t likely to be overturned and should thus go into effect in a little over two years.

“This will give boat operators sufficient time to adapt to the new conditions. They are also free to choose how they do so. A system using headsets – such as those already used successfully by guides on sightseeing walks – is an option, but not a requirement,” continued Esquenet.

Although many locals will undoubtedly question the city’s decision to only introduce the ban in 2029, the news hasn’t been received enthusiastically by the companies operating the boats.

“The noise levels are already very low. But the current limit of 65 decibels is outdated. That’s roughly equivalent to the sound of a toilet flushing. On a Saturday, we transport 1,700 people. Providing them all with a working headset with a fully charged battery? That’s going to be difficult. And what about children? And what if it rains? It’s not that simple. But if the city council approves this, we’ll have no choice but to go along with it,” said Michiel Michielsens of the boat company Venetië van het Noorden in a statement to Belgian news outlet VRT NWS.

However, the city will not just be banning loudspeakers. Starting from 2027, the five boat companies operating the tourist tours will be able to increase their ticket prices to €17 instead of €15 per person. According to Minou Esquenet, the companies were asking for such a measure in order to invest in their infrastructure and to meet the city’s demand of being 100% electric by 2028 – at the moment, 16 out of 20 boats have met that requirement. With 29% of the ticket sales going directly towards the city of Bruges, however, the increased ticket price will also benefit the local treasury.

L’article Bruges bans speakers on tourist boats from 2029 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.