Flanders
In Belgium, Flanders is reshaping its tourism future through a bold vision rooted in sustainability and community wellbeing. Led by VISITFLANDERS, the region is taking a values-driven approach that places local heritage, environmental care, and resident experience at the heart of destination development.
The Travel to Tomorrow strategy guides this transformation—connecting historic sites like Saint Godeliva Abbey with efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of sectors such as cruise tourism. By aligning tourism with long-term economic, social, and environmental priorities, Flanders is building a more resilient, inclusive, and purpose-led visitor economy.
Flanders Impact Stories
Flanders has embedded sustainability across all levels of its tourism strategy—from restoring historic landmarks to rethinking the impact of cruise tourism and business events. The region is redefining what it means to offer enriching, responsible travel experiences.
At the core of this transformation is a commitment to place-based regeneration and collaboration—reflected in the revival of Saint Godeliva Abbey, research on cruise tourism, and innovative sustainable events.
- Saint Godeliva Abbey – A Community-Led Revival
Sustainability is central to the abbey’s planned transformation by 2026:- Reviving gardens with traditional Flemish heirloom plants to boost biodiversity.
- Saving water through historic cisterns and new rainwater collectors.
- Involving locals and volunteers in beekeeping and heritage restoration.
- Repurposing old cells for co-working and cultivating mushrooms with coffee waste in the basement.
- Cruise Tourism – Reducing Footprint
Flanders is addressing cruise tourism’s environmental impact with key actions:- Proposing passenger quotas to manage overcrowding and emissions.
- Balancing economic benefits with environmental responsibilities.
- Sustainable Events – Stories Unfold
Flanders champions low-impact event design. A leading example is Stories Unfold, where:- The pavilion is built on screw piles, leaving no permanent footprint.
- Walls use reusable concrete formwork panels, blending utility with design.
Flanders shows how destinations can lead with purpose—reviving heritage, empowering communities, and aligning tourism with long-term sustainability goals.
Strategy & Partnerships
Some of the sustainability goals that VISITFLANDERS has set itself highlight the region’s commitment to collaborative, future-focused tourism (source):
Collaboration is key to Flanders’ approach. Partnerships with organizations like NECSTouR are driving change, focusing on creating actionable plans to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also sharing insights and best practices.
The vision is collective progress, where every stakeholder plays a role in shaping a sustainable future for tourism.
Behind the Scenes: In Conversation with Peter de Wilde
With growing demands from residents for tourism that respects local life and avoids overtourism, how can destination managers strike a balance that works for all? Flanders offers a strong example with its mission to build flourishing destinations that benefit all stakeholders. Peter De Wilde, CEO of VisitFlanders, explains how the 'Travel to Tomorrow' vision was born and how purposeful marketing can support more sustainable destination development.
Follow Flanders Online
This showcase was originally published by Sustainability Leaders United, as part of its global series spotlighting destinations leading the way in sustainable tourism and community collaboration.
Flanders was also featured in the first Sustainability Leaders Yearbook, recognizing destinations that demonstrate global leadership in community-driven, values-based tourism.
More information on Flanders’ approach to responsible travel and place development can be found at Visit Flanders.
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