The city of Bruges in West Flanders, which is called Venice of the North, was visited by 4.5 million tourists in 2021, more than three quarters of whom were residents of Belgium.

According to the city tourism office, 30% more travelers visited Bruges last year than in 2020, but 42% less than in 2019.

According to estimates, the city's revenues from tourism by the end of 2021 will amount to 325 million euros, which is half as much as in the pre-pandemic 2019. Nevertheless, the authorities of Bruges are counting on the restoration of the tourism business in 2022.

"We see that an increasing number of people are being vaccinated in Europe, which expands their opportunities to travel. This is a glimmer of hope for foreign tourism in Bruges," said Deputy Governor for Tourism Mieke Hoste.