A cross-border partnership between Flanders and the Netherlands is set to enhance the promotion of castle tourism in the historic Brabant region. Six partner organizations
spanning the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant, and Dutch North Brabant will receive a grant totaling just over €1.8 million for this endeavor.
The goal of this cooperative effort is to broaden the association of castle tourism beyond the renowned French Loire region to include the castles within the former Duchy of Brabant. This area boasts a significant number of castles that are increasingly becoming publicly accessible to visitors.
Jan De Haes, a Member of Parliament for the Province of Antwerp, emphasizes the opportunities this initiative presents to the region. He notes that as more people seek alternatives to mass tourism, the densely populated provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant, and North Brabant offer an ideal escape for relaxation, providing visitors with a chance to explore hidden treasures off the beaten path.
The project aims to transform three castle estates in Heist-op-den-Berg, Sint-Michielsgestel, and Huizingen into tourist destinations, with the aspiration of inspiring other estates to follow suit. The ultimate vision is to establish a network of castles where castle managers can exchange knowledge and experiences. Additionally, castles open to tourists will receive promotion and support from Visit Flanders, the Flemish government's tourism agency. Photo by Hubert DENIES, Wikimedia commons.