Tomorrowland is big business for Brussels tourism

Tomorrowland’s double weekend is boosting tourism in Brussels, with hotels in the capital expecting a record 60,000 overnight stays during the popular techno music festival.

While the festival itself takes place in Boom outside of Antwerp, its all-inclusive ‘Global Journey’ package involves partnerships with 43 partner hotels in the capital, compared with just 12 in Antwerp.

This year’s figure of 60,000 festival-related stays is comparable to the past three editions, according to the Brussels Hotel Association (BHA).

Because Tomorrowland’s first weekend coincided with another major Belgian event - the F1 race at Spa-Francorchamps - Brussels hotels were almost fully booked.

“Unfortunately, we don’t see a similar impact in August,” said BHA’s secretary-general Rodolphe Van Weyenbergh, adding that he would have preferred Spa to be on the F1 calendar in August so that the influx of international visitors would be more spread out.

Brussels Airlines is currently welcoming a total of 24,734 festival-goers from 106 different countries, spread across 409 flights - more than 10,000 more than the 2024 edition saw.

More than 1,000 revellers opted for one of Brussels Airlines’ seven exclusive party flights (complete with a live DJ set) from destinations including Ibiza, Barcelona, Rome and Prague.

Brussels’ partner hotels are working the major festival into their marketing with temporary decorations in the Tomorrowland theme.

For example, the Hotel Le Plaza on Boulevard Adolphe Max was transformed into a trendy venue with a make-up service for revellers and beach chairs on the street.

The festival brings in 1,000 visitors to the hotel and a full house, director Laurent Dekeef told BX1.

While noting that his hotel is on the traditional side, Dekeef said: “We’re trying to extend the Boom experience right up to the doors of the Plaza.”

Festival-goers staying there were able to walk to one of Tomorrowland’s pop-up parties in the city centre last Thursday and the free parties on Brussels’ Grand-Place. Another such pre-party will take place this Thursday.

Tomorrowland organisers have enjoyed a good relationship with the Brussels mayor Philippe Close (PS), formerly the alderman for tourism, for 10 years now. For the city council, the collaboration is ideal for putting Brussels on the map as a city break destination.

The Brussels cafes that have managed to become go-to spots for the Tomorrowland crowd are already reporting a major boost in trade, especially Delirium Village.

Taxi companies are also experiencing a busy period. Although the festival does provide shuttle buses from Brussels North, Brussels Central and the Justice Palace, these become fully booked during the busiest hours.