The communication agency for tourism, visit.brussels, in the Brussels-Capital Region, has appointed AVIAREPS as its marketing representative in Brazil, China, India and Russia. The appointment, which came into effect from January 1st, 2018, is part of visit.brussels’ plan to strategically, and meaningfully reach out and engage with large, dynamic and emerging markets across the globe with a continued representative presence.
Patrick Bontinck, Visit Brussels, says, “As the capital of 500 million Europeans, Brussels offers visitors an eclectic cosmopolitan experience that celebrates the arts, cuisine, design, history, modernity, luxury and urban lifestyles. As we commence 2018 we are thrilled to bring those messages and offerings to a very divergent group of growing and exciting markets with an ongoing in-market presence. AVIAREPS’ international network of industry experts has made this action and our commitment to these markets possible and we look forward to the increased engagement and visitation from Brazil, China, India and Russia to Brussels, in the months and years to come.”
Brussels welcomed a total of 3.00 million visitors in 2016, and while only data up until October 2017 is currently available, the total number of visitors in 2017 has already reached 2.92 million visitors. This demonstrates a robust increase of 20 per cent when compared to the number of visitors welcomed in the first 10 months of 2016. The results are even more impressive when looking at the visitor figures from the emerging markets targeted; with visitors from China experiencing an increase of 23 per cent for the first ten months of 2017, India an increase of 28 per cent, Russia an increase of 41 per cent, and Brazil an increase of 64 per cent.
Thomas Drechsler, chief operating officer Tourism, AVIAREPS said, “We are honoured to represent visit.brussels in what are four of our most dynamic markets. This appointment classically demonstrates how AVIAREPS can help destinations expand their international footprint, outreach and brand to very divergent and complex markets all at once, due to our international network of tourism marketing and public relations professionals that embody international best practice with local expertise and know-how. We look forward to elevating and continuing the popularity and success of destination Brussels in Brazil, China, India and Russia.”