Home » News Picks » Visa-free entry for 102 countries including the US, UK and UAE boosts Belgium’s tourism industry?
Saturday, June 22, 2024
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Located in the heart of Europe, Belgium is a premier travel destination known for its medieval towns, renaissance architecture, and its role as the headquarters of the European Union and NATO. It attracts a wide variety of travelers, from business and corporate travelers attending meetings and conferences to leisure travelers and vacationers exploring cultural and historical sites. To make travel easier and more convenient, Belgium, a member of the Schengen Area, implements a visa-free entry policy for a large number of countries. This makes it an attractive destination for both short business trips and longer leisure stays. These policies support an influx of vacationers wanting to explore Belgium’s vibrant cities and scenic countryside, as well as corporate travel professionals attending events and conventions. Below is a detailed breakdown of these policies broken down by region, authoritative citations, and visitor numbers from each country, showing how Belgium continues to promote its tourism industry through its strategic visa-free entry agreements.
Visa-free entry categories
1. Schengen countries
Schengen nationals enjoy visa-free entry to Belgium, facilitating smooth travel between member states.
Countries (in alphabetical order):
Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland
Tourist numbers: The highest number of Schengen tourists visiting Belgium in 2022 were from France (2.5 million), the Netherlands (1.9 million) and Germany (1.2 million).
2. EU/EEA Countries Outside the Schengen Area
EU/EEA countries that are not part of the Schengen Area can also benefit from visa-free travel to Belgium.
Country:
Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Ireland Romania
Tourist numbers: In 2022, Belgium welcomed around 350,000 tourists from Ireland and around 200,000 from Romania.
3. Visa-exempt countries outside the Schengen area
Belgium offers visa-free entry to citizens of several non-Schengen countries, encouraging greater diversity in tourism.
Country:
AlbaniaAndorraAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaAustraliaBahamasBarbadosBosnia and HerzegovinaBrazilBruneiCanadaChileColombiaCosta RicaDominicaEl SalvadorGeorgiaGrenadaGuatemalaHondurasHong Kong (SAR of China)IsraelJapanKiribatiMacau (SAR of China)MalaysiaMarshall IslandsMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMontenegroNew ZealandNicaraguaNorth MacedoniaPalauPanamaParaguayPeruSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSerbiaSeychellesSingaporeSolomon IslandsSouth KoreaTaiwanEast TimorTongaTrinidad and TobagoTuvaluUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayVanuatuVatican CityVenezuela
Tourist numbers: The highest number of visa-exempt non-Schengen tourists in 2022 were from the United States (1.1 million), the United Kingdom (0.9 million), and Canada (0.5 million).
4. Countries with specific visa waiver agreements
Belgium has bilateral agreements granting visa-free entry to certain countries that are not broadly exempt from EU general policy.
Country:
Argentina Brazil Japan South Korea Israel United States United Kingdom
Visitor numbers: In 2022, Belgium received a large number of visitors from Japan (200,000) and South Korea (150,000), who benefited from these special agreements.
Total visitors from visa-exempt countries
To provide a comprehensive view, we add up the international arrivals from the major countries in the visa-free zone.
Schengen: 8.6 million EU/EEA non-Schengen: 550,000 Visa-free non-Schengen: 2.5 million Specific agreements: 350,000
As a result, Belgium welcomed around 12 million international tourists from visa-exempt countries in 2022.
1. Rich cultural heritage
Belgium is steeped in history and culture and boasts UNESCO World Heritage sites, medieval towns and Renaissance architecture.
Brussels: The capital is home to iconic landmarks such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site Grand Place and the Atomium, a symbol of modern architecture. Bruges: Known as the “Venice of the North,” Bruges charms visitors with its canals, cobblestone streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. Ghent and Antwerp: These cities are rich in art and history, featuring stunning cathedrals, vibrant cultural scenes and world-class museums. 2. Great Cuisine
Belgium is known for a variety of cuisines, from decadent chocolates to world-famous beer and hearty meals.
Belgian Waffles and Chocolate: Indulge in freshly made waffles and handcrafted chocolates from renowned Belgian chocolatiers. Beer Culture: Belgium is a beer lover’s paradise. With a rich brewing tradition, it offers a wide variety of beers, including Trappist ales and Lambic. Gastronomy: With Michelin-starred restaurants and local delicacies such as mussels and frites, Belgium offers a gourmet experience. 3. Strategic Location and Connectivity
Belgium’s central location in Europe makes it a convenient starting point for exploring the continent.
Proximity to major European cities: Easily accessible by high-speed train from Paris, Amsterdam and London, Belgium serves as a gateway to Europe. Efficient public transport: Belgium boasts an excellent public transport system, including a reliable rail network connecting major cities with neighbouring countries. 4. Vibrant festivals and events
Belgium hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year celebrating everything from music and art to food and history.
Tomorrowland: One of the world’s largest electronic dance music festivals, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world. Brussels Flower Carpet: This biennial event decorates the Grand Place with a spectacular flower carpet, drawing people from all over the world. Carnival of Binche: A UNESCO-recognized event known for its vibrant parades and historical significance.
Top Belgian Airlines and Airports
Top AirlinesBrussels AirlinesOverview: Belgium’s national airline, Brussels Airlines operates an extensive network of routes across Europe, Africa and North America. Services: Known for its quality service and connectivity, it is based in major airports around the world, providing a seamless travel experience. TUI Fly BelgiumOverview: Popular for leisure travel, TUI Fly Belgium operates flights to a variety of destinations across Europe, Africa and the Americas. Services: Offering affordable travel packages and charter services, it targets mainly vacation travelers. RyanairOverview: A leading low-cost airline, Ryanair connects Belgium with numerous European cities and is a favorite of budget travelers. Services: Known for its extensive European network and competitive pricing. Top AirportsBrussels Airport (BRU)Location: Located in Zaventem, approximately 12 km northeast of Brussels. Overview: It is the main international gateway to Belgium, handling more than 25 million passengers annually. Facilities: Offering a wide range of services, including plenty of shopping and dining options, Brussels Airlines. Charleroi Airport (CRL) Location: 46km south of Brussels, near Charleroi. Overview: Served mainly by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, this airport is popular with budget travelers. Facilities: It offers basic services and convenient connections to many European destinations. Antwerp International Airport (ANR) Location: Just 5km from Antwerp city centre. Overview: A smaller airport that focuses on business travel and short-haul flights within Europe. Facilities: It offers fast, efficient service and is ideal for business travelers looking for a quick connection.
Belgium’s visa-free entry policy is a major boost to the tourism industry by simplifying travel for millions of tourists each year. This policy, combined with Belgium’s rich culture and strategic location in Europe, makes it an attractive destination for tourists from all over the world. Ease of entry for Schengen, EU/EEA and many non-Schengen countries continues to drive the success of Belgium’s tourism industry.
Tags: Belgium, World Travel News, Iceland, International Travel, Schengen, Schengen Countries, Tourism, Travel, Travel News, UK, UAE, USA, Visa, Visa Free
