Flanders’ tourism board VisitFlanders is bullish on driving increased travel and tourism activities from the India market this year. VisitFlanders recently held ‘Flanders Travel Mission’ in Mumbai and New Delhi, wherein it announced partnership with Brussels Airlines and Brussels Airport. The recent launch of Brussels Airlines’ Mumbai-Brussels flight is expected to significantly benefit Indian arrivals in Flanders.
Speaking to Express TravelWorld, Elke Dens, marketing director, VisitFlanders, said, “Indian arrivals to Flanders had been good in the recent years. Between 2011 and 2015, we have seen 10 per cent growth. We have also seen more FIT travellers, which is good because they spend more time at the destination. Last year was a difficult one for many countries in Western Europe, which saw decline in tourism. However, signs from the tourism industry are positive again. The India market has shown great resilience. Tour operators from across India have indicated that European tours are doing very well this year. We are very positive about 2017.”
In terms of MICE movements, VisitFlanders is aiming to attract association meetings that correspond to the economic growth in Flanders and Brussels. In May 2018, The Diamond Experience Centre in Antwerp will be inaugurated which is also expected to attract a large number of Indian tourists to the destination.
The theme for VisitFlanders this year is ‘Flemish Masters’ which focuses on the art works of the famous notable artists from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.
Alongside Flanders Travel Mission, Belgium also led an economic mission in Mumbai, banking upon the newly launched flight to boost trade and bilateral relationships between Belgium and India. Bernard Gustin, CEO, Brussels Airlines, and a delegation of Belgian companies led by secretary of state for foreign trade, Pieter De Crem, addressed the economic mission to underline the importance of the route and the relations between India and Belgium.
Flying directly to Brussels five time a week, the flight has been launched to leverage upon high demand from pharmaceutical, diamond and logistics industries alongside leisure travel segment.
Commenting on the flight launch, Gustin said, “We have had a gap on this route and this is the right time to put an end to it. India is a key market for Brussels Airlines and an important priority market for Belgium,” adding that Air India’s association with Star Alliance also holds significance for Brussels Airlines. Gustin also commented that the airline is focused on quality service, which lacks in low-cost carriers.
The flight schedule consists of daytime flights to Mumbai on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The flights, currently witnessing 70-75 per cent passenger load factor, depart in the morning and arrive late in the evening in Mumbai. Flights leave Mumbai on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night and arrive in Brussels early the next morning. The airline has deployed Airbus A330 on this route, providing class configurations of Business Class, Economy Privilege and Economy Class.
Belgium is currently the second largest EU exporter of goods to India. For Indian companies, Belgium is the fourth largest export destination in the European Union. De Crem added, “We have a good bilateral trade and Mumbai plays a key role in that.”
