Vision

Coverbeeld-Reizen-naar-Morgen ©Thomas-De-Boever
©Thomas-De-Boever
Vision

Travel to Tomorrow Vision

The world – as well as “tourism” itself – is changing rapidly. And we have to keep up by adapting and reinventing ourselves. Searching for the right ingredients...

Greater collaboration needed to tackle rising emissions
©unwto.org
Vision

Greater collaboration needed to tackle rising emissions

Transport-related emissions from tourism are expected to account for 5.3% of all man-made CO2 emissions by 2030, up from 5% in 2016, a landmark new report from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Transport Forum (ITF) shows.

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Memorandum EN
Vision of the future

VISITFLANDERS working on a vision for tomorrow

We want to continue to strengthen our appeal to tourists. Yet, if we are to remain successful in the future, we need to take into account many changes and uncertainties. Our starting point for formulating our vision for the future is our belief in the positive power of tourism. We need to strengthen this power to bring balance so destinations in Flanders can flourish.

magazine_mockup_eng
Inspiration

Download the magazine

For a year we, together with various partners, have thought about the transformative power of tourism for the visitor, occupant and destination. We have bundled the result of this co-creative thinking process into the magazine ‘Journey to tomorrow’.

Jan Rotmans
Jan Rotmans
Vision

The future of tourism is customisation

Dutch professor Jan Rotmans is an expert on the subject of transition management and sustainability who is much sought-after, both at home and abroad. As a ‘progressor’, he also endeavours to translate theoretical transitional science into concrete actions and advice for entrepreneurs, governments and organisations.

De Linde-EN
Inspiration

The Lime, heart of a flourishing place

The tourism of tomorrow will be rooted in local communities. In neighbourhoods, villages and cities that thrive and, as a result, enjoy welcoming enthusiastic visitors. A flourishing community is very much connected to its specific place; where people work together, where visitors can feel at home and residents can nurture and share their love for the place.

Coverbeeld-Reizen-naar-Morgen ©Thomas-De-Boever
©Thomas-De-Boever
Vision

Travel to Tomorrow Vision

The world – as well as “tourism” itself – is changing rapidly. And we have to keep up by adapting and reinventing ourselves. Searching for the right ingredients for a new/better future for tourism. We invited the sector to reflect on the evolution of tourism, addressing a few pressing questions, and to dare to question the prevailing opinion and approach.

regenerative tourism
Inspiration

Regenerative tourism

Jenny Andersson had a great opportunity to talk about the potential of regenerative tourism with three leading lights of the industry; leading speaker Anna Pollock, marketing director of Visit Flanders Elke Dens, and Tina O’Dwyer, head of The Tourism Space in Ireland.

Iedereen Verdient Vakantie
Get going

In 2030 …

Following Rob Hopkins’ ‘From What is to What if…?’ example, the network around ‘Holiday Participation’ started dreaming themselves up a 2030 where holidays are accessible for all, including people on a low income. With a belief that everyone is entitled to some breathing space and experiences that can energise, they’ve set up the ‘Why holidays matter’ network. The various initiatives they organise...

We must get rid of our addiction to growth
Vision

“We must get rid of our addiction to growth”

Freelance business journalist Wouter Temmerman explains in Brussels Airlines b.inspired inflight magazine October 2019 why, in a changing economic society where the size of a company isn’t necessarily representative of success, bigger doesn’t always mean better.

Ghent-Graslei
Inspiration

‘Doughnut Economics’ applied to overtourism

Travelling to tomorrow also means looking differently at economic growth. In arrivals Europe has grown by 6%; Flanders has grown by 10% last year. Shirley Nieuwland shared an interesting piece on the application of Kate Raworth’s ‘Doughnut Economics’ applied to Anna Pollock’s ‘flourishing’ destinations.

Oud naar nieuw
Inspiration

From the old system to the new

Being aware, taking responsibility, connecting and collaborating: the four ingredients for making the transition from a tourist destination to a flourishing place and community. We explained that entrepreneurs are happy to make a contribution. The government is listening and trying to find out how to strengthen its role. And there are also people who are proud of their place, who offer hospitality...

De Linde-EN
Inspiration

The Lime, heart of a flourishing place

The tourism of tomorrow will be rooted in local communities. In neighbourhoods, villages and cities that thrive and, as a result, enjoy welcoming enthusiastic visitors. A flourishing community is very much connected to its specific place; where people work together, where visitors can feel at home and residents can nurture and share their love for the place.

Anna
Inspiration

Towards a flourishing destination

The tourism of tomorrow will be different, whether we like it or not. What tourism can we create that matches the challenges of the future and establishes a positive balance for the traveller, host and place? And just as important: how do we shift in that direction, what do we need to see and do differently?

Op weg naar een florerende bestemming
Inspiration

Innovators are designing the future

Our voyage of discovery in a world full of change is a quest to find the ingredients for a flourishing destination. Fifty people gathered for a two-day writing adventure. They reflected on the discoveries from studies, workshops, conversations and think-tanks.