Antwerp shows itself again in strong July (Antwerp)
The summer sales of the month of July were a bull’s eye, according to the figures of the modus Unie: “on average, sales were almost the same as before the corona crisis”, it sounds. Linda Cloots from Meir-Experience Antwerp something wholeheartedly. “The sales were a great success, we are almost at the level of 2019. Even the hot days – except for the one hottest day – turned out to be no problem. After 2.5 years of the corona crisis, we can say that the sector is almost even doing well as before. And that despite the recession, the energy problems and the war.”
You would be good to think that things will go less well in Wijnegem – Shop Food Enjoy, but both shopping centers certainly no communicationthe barrels. “We have an increase of 2% compared to last year, although the weather was much better for too much indoors,” says Zso Horvath. In July this year we had 85% less rain than we experienced extreme temperatures, so it is logical that people came here looking for cooling.” With a monthly average of 650,000 visitors, the Shopping Center is almost back to pre-corona levels.
20% increase
Nico Volckeryck, regional director of the Neutral Syndicate for the Self-Employed makes nice statements: “I hear general satisfaction from our member retailers. Compared to last year, sales have increased by 20%. It is clear: the city is coming back to life. You also see that the Asian tourists are visiting Antwerp again. The big difference with last year is that the terraces are well filled again. The tourists also indicate that they want to come back. I found people from Florida who were here for Tomorrowland. After an afternoon of shopping they already decided to come back. ‘It’s such a cool city’, was their conclusion. That is what the city should do: keep the wonder going with events, the cathedral, culture and events such as Antwerp Pride. An organization with an international image is always important. we have to meet other cities shown. We need that there is more than the Meir. Japanese also come to see Hoboken. Others discover Berchem or other districts. And as an ardent Antwerp resident, I can only be happy that the combination Tall Ships and Bollekesfeesten really belongs to us.”
Such events also fill the hotels, more is clear, and that is also going better than last year, says Didier Boehlen of the Antwerp Hotel Association. “We have not yet reached the figure for 2019, when we were at 75% occupancy. But we are already reaching 70%. Combine that with a higher room rate and you will see that the turnover per room is still the same in 2019.”
“We have been lucky with three weekends at Tomorrowland, but we see that the midweeks do not follow. They are stuck at 50%. With the corona crisis, individual business tourism has virtually disappeared and that is only returning very slowly or even no longer. A part remains filled by online platforms. That is why we must focus even more on conference tourism and the promotion of our city as a conference city. Antwerp and Flanders are already focusing on this, but we will only see the results in three or four years, as conferences are planned so far in advance. In terms of recreational tourism, we hope that the Royal Museum of Fine Arts will play its role as a public magnet.”
ZOO visit takes a leap
Speaking of magnets, the ZOO that’s for sure. It is doing loosely 23% better this month than last year, although spokeswoman Amanda Wielemans readily admits that the bad summer of 2021 played a major role. “But we are again at the pre-corona level, that certainly applies to adventure park Planckendael. The 13% increase that we have recorded there this year is mainly due to the arrival of the orangutans. And in the long term there is also good news, because subscription records were broken last year and the new members remain loyal to our ZOO.”
Museumvisitors are also loyal. “It’s too early for figures,” reports Nadia De Vree, “but we will get the figures from July last year exactly. National and international customers have clearly found their way to our counters and online sales.”
Boekenberg breaks records
If a museum does not provide enough cooling, the urban environment still rests swimming pools. And they are also on the rise. The visitor figures for this year in Zwemvijver Boekenberg already exceed those for the entire 2019 season, from 15 May to 15 September”, says marketing manager Pauline van Aarle, “but we can only achieve the general result at the end of the summer.” (see box)
It is also clear to aldermen of Tourism Koen Kennis (N-VA) that July was an excellent month for tourism in Antwerp. “There was a very positive vibe in the city, there was a lot to experience. Not only do the tourism sector profit from this, but so do our shops, the cultural sector, even the velokes and the providers of shared mobility. Also proof that Antwerp doesn’t need much to revive. we are also versatile enough.”
This is also apparent from some figures. The counter of the information office in Het Steen received 31,071 visitors until last Thursday. With the weekend, hopes are for a total of 35,000, or 10,000 more than the previous record. In July 2019, the information desk on the Grote ‘only’ will receive 21,425 visitors. In the Central Station, men reached the same volume as in July 2019, visitors and 40% visitors from Europe. The top 5 foreigners are led by the Dutch, followed by Germans, French, Spaniards and Americans.
Visitor Pools
2019 2021
Swimming pond Boekenberg 36,345 46,387
Outdoor swimming pool De Molen 42,256 24,650
Velo . day passes
2019 8.189
2020 6.261
2021 6,031
2022 9,131