Ghent residents want more say in tourism policy and cruise tourism in Ghent is being restricted.
A recent study conducted by the City of Ghent and Tourism Flanders shows a complex relationship between the residents of Ghent and growing tourism. Although the majority of Ghent residents remain proud of their city and embrace tourism, there is growing concern about its impact on their living environment.
The study, which interviewed 1.779 Ghent residents last summer, revealed that two-thirds still support tourism in their city, just as in 2021. An impressive 75% are happy to share with others what there is to do and can be seen in the city. The dark side? No fewer than 66% think that the center is too busy, and 49% think that the increasing number of tourists reduces the quality of life in the city. In addition, 65% of respondents see the rise of Airbnb accommodations as a factor that makes living in Ghent more expensive.
The local government is aware of these challenges and is already taking measures to strike a balance between hospitality and habitability. For example, the City of Ghent has introduced a holiday home stop to reduce pressure on the housing market, and existing holiday homes are charged a double city tax. Cruise tourism is also being restricted. A further spread of hotels and a ban on coaches in the center are on the agenda for the coming year.
The call for participation is growing. While last year only 32% of Ghent residents indicated that they wanted to be more involved in tourism policy, this figure has now risen to 45%. Knowledge about the policy has also increased; 22% of Ghent residents are now aware of the city's sustainability efforts, compared to only 9% in 2021. A new round of public participation is planned for 2024.
"Both tourists and residents agree that Ghent is fantastic. However, the people of Ghent also want to continue to enjoy their own center. As a city, we take these concerns seriously and are actively looking for solutions."
In the meantime, tourists continue to rate the city highly, as shown by market research by Toerisme Vlaanderen. Ghent receives scores of 8,9 out of 10 from overnight tourists and 8,7 out of 10 from day visitors. They mainly come for the cultural offerings and gastronomy. Moreover, 2023 seems to be a top year for stay-over tourism in Ghent, with possibly more than 1,5 million overnight stays.
research
The research endorses a trend that is observed not only in Ghent, but also in other tourist hotspots worldwide: the tension between the economic benefits of tourism and concerns about quality of life and sustainability. Tourism is undoubtedly a powerful economic driver. According to Tourism Flanders, 2023 seems to be an exceptionally good year for the city, with a possible record number of more than 1,5 million overnight stays. That of course brings jobs and income, from hotels and restaurants to local artisans and shops.
