The Belgian city of Ghent has decided to take measures to reduce noise levels by controlling the number of tourist boats on its canals, regulating noise, and strengthening cooperation with hospitality operators.
Ghent is famous for its medieval architecture, canals, vibrant cultural scene, and lively student atmosphere. Officially recognised as one of Flanders’ “art cities,” it recorded around 1.6 million overnight visitors in 2024, making it one of the region’s fastest-growing tourist destinations in recent years.
Under EU legislation, the Environmental Noise Directive (END), large cities such as Ghent are required to map noise levels and develop action plans to reduce harmful exposure. Actual noise limits are set at regional and local levels.
In practice, this means maintaining a level of roughly 55 decibels for ambient noise (the level of a normal conversation), 60 decibels for sensitive areas such as restaurant terraces, and 70 decibels for temporary peaks, with exceptions for major events.
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Ghent has updated its policy accordingly under the city’s latest “noise action plan,” which is currently primarily aimed at tourism-related disturbances in the historic centre.
This will involve tourist boats gradually switching to electric propulsion to reduce engine noise and guided tours being conducted with visitors wearing headphones instead of using loudspeakers, or through other creative solutions aimed at reducing noise.
As the city promotes visits aboard boats navigating its canals as a way to “travel back in time, immerse yourself in the city of Emperor Charles V and discover hidden secrets,” the experience may now become more secretive indeed, as information will be delivered directly into visitors’ ears rather than broadcast across neighbourhoods so as not to disturb residents.
Alderman Filip Watteeuw told Belgian television that “if you live or work in the neighbourhood and you hear a guided tour once a day, it may not be so annoying. But it becomes very annoying when it happens more than 30 times a day.”
Robbe Dewaele, representing the tourist boat company De Bootjes van Gent, said that they would be happy to comply with the new demands if this helped to maintain good relations with residents and traders alike. He noted that 75% of their fleet is already electric.
“The boats no longer have combustion engines, and guides’ microphones are quieter. The loudspeakers are no longer under the passengers’ feet but in the handrails. That’s closer to the ear, so the volume can be turned down. It’s also more pleasant for passengers.”
These measures follow repeated complaints about noise levels in the city centre.
Ghent has been trying to reduce noise pollution for several years. In 2021, it started impounding excessively loud vehicles before shifting towards prevention by introducing measures to curb over-tourism. These measures include tourist taxes, limits on new B&Bs, and obligations for Airbnb hosts.
Eight months ago, Ghent, along with Bruges, also moved to restrict very large tourist groups using amplified microphones. “They’re huge groups of over 60 people. They stand in the middle of the street and receive explanations via amplified microphones. It’s disruptive and dangerous,” said Mieke Thienpont of vzw Gentse Gidsen, Ghent’s non-profit association of city guides.
Such groups are criticised for both creating disturbances and contributing little economically. Municipal data shows that overnight visitors spend an average of €163 per day, compared to €81 for day visitors. These figures have shaped tourism policy.
Five months ago, the city launched a campaign to shush late-night revellers. “A fantastic, well-thought-out idea,” some ironically remarked on social media, adding that “this will undoubtedly have absolutely no reverse effect.”
