Europe invests 2.8m euros to boost cross-border tourism in West Flanders
Europe is investing 2.8 million euros in cross-border walking and cycling networks and innovative tourism experiences in West Flanders, provincial tourism body Westtoer said on Wednesday.
Three projects will receive funding from the EU’s France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen Interreg programme, and the province of West Flanders will invest a further 550,000 euros.
In the Clim@TouVert project, Westtoer and 12 partners from West Flanders and Département du Nord in France are creating a cross-border walking experience. There will be new junction networks, lookout and rest points and micro-adventures aimed at families, set to be completed by 2028.
"People are discovering beautiful places close to home or travelling in their own country"
“Hiking has become increasingly popular since the Covid crisis,” said Sabien Lahaye-Battheu, president of Westtoer. “People are discovering beautiful places close to home or travelling in their own country. Extra experiences make our hiking products even more attractive to domestic and foreign visitors.”
A second project focuses on castles and abbeys in the Bruges Hinterland area. Tourism Lab 2 is a continuation of an existing project and focuses on experiences such as Westhoek Unplugged, rafting in the Leie region and the photo exhibition Breathtaking Places on the Coast. In the third project, XTraVel Tourism, Westtoer will improve the province's cycling network.
“Westtoer is working on innovation and sustainability in the tourism sector,” said Lahaye-Battheu. “We support the future-oriented development of the sector and actively pursue sustainability, heritage experiences and innovative hiking and cycling products.”
#FlandersNewsService | Recreational cycling in West Flanders © PHOTO BELGIAN FREELANCE
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