Freddy Thielemans, Mayor of Brussels, discusses what makes the city unique.
European Times: How is Brussels different from other cities?
Freddy Thielemans: As the capital of the EU, Brussels hosts a wide range of EU and international headquarters, including NATO and the European Commission, Parliament and Council. Each year, at least four European summits are held in Brussels, bringing together the 27 heads-of-state or government representatives of the EU member states. Brussels is now the home of more than 200 EU missions, 159 embassies, 1,700 EU associations, 2,500 diplomats, 46 European and international schools, 1,400 non-government organisations, 6,000 European lobbies and 1,000 journalists who focus on EU affairs. Thanks to this power concentration, Brussels is considered, along with Washington DC, as one of the only cities in the world that has such great international influence.
Brussels is also a popular headquarter for multinationals and a top MICE tourism destination. Brussels attracted more than 5.9 million overnight tourism visits in 2011, of which 60% were business-related. Finally, Brussels has many famous monuments, like the Grand Place, which is ranked a UNESCO World Heritage site.
European Times: What is Brussels doing to attract more visitors?
Freddy Thielemans: We develop annual tourism themes, like last year’s ‘Brusselicious’, which promoted our gastronomy throughout the year. We also organise individual events like ‘Winter Wonders’ in December or the ‘Brussels Summer Festival’ in August, which is one of the only festivals in the world set in an historic city centre. We aim to double the number of overnight tourism visits by 2020.
European Times: What are some major projects now underway?
Freddy Thielemans: The NEO project will develop the Heysel area in the northern part of the city into a multifunction hub with a new convention centre, concert hall, hotel, commercial district, restaurants and bars, and a wide range of sports and leisure facilities. This project will create 3,000 jobs. We also plan to reorganise the city’s main boulevards to give shops along them a boost. In addition, we are planning major new cultural ventures like the new Museum of Modern Art as well as innovative exhibitions like one recently held in the former home of the Brussels Stock Exchange.
European Times: What is your personal message to our readers?
Freddy Thielemans: Brussels offers a superb business environment, a multicultural atmosphere, all kinds of fascinating attractions and a warm welcome. Come visit, live and invest in Brussels, the capital of our future!
