Home to over 183 nationalities, 121 museums, and 42 international organisations, and ranked No. 1 in the European Green City Index, Brussels is the perfect place to showcase smart tourism’s full potential.
Whether you’re strolling across Grand Place, admiring the Atomium, or attending a conference in the European Quarter, you can fully immerse yourself in the Belgian capital via a dazzling array of apps.
Tourists can plan their trip to the city using Visit.Brussels, a website (used by 2.3 million people a year) that is updated in six languages daily. Once in the capital, 200 free Wi-Fi hotspots make it easy to interact with the apps on offer, and QR codes can be found at the entrance of over 100 landmarks, making your trip truly interactive.
Such innovation was made possible by the city’s €7.86 million investment in ICTs, including budget allocation for the hospitality sector to scan for trends and set up new initiatives.
The smart way to discover the city
Extremely easy to get to via car, plane, train or bike, Brussels is committed to being “A World for Everyone”. Information is available in a range of languages for the city’s 6.6 million overnight guests (in 2017), and great effort has been taken to ensure the city is accessible to all. Continuous investment in public transport has made the system easier to use for people with reduced mobility. All station maps are printed in Braille, while a Taxibus service transports people with disabilities door-to-door on request.
Attracted to Brussels for its art, culture, events, and festivals? The Brussels card grants you access to 39 museums and offers discounts on attractions, guided tours, shops, restaurants, and bars – plus it can be used for travel on public transport.
Stationed along the London to Brindisi EuroVello 5 cycle route, and with more than 350 bike rental stations, Brussels is the ideal stop for cycling enthusiasts. Bikes also play a vital role in the city’s sustainability push – tourists are invited to discover the cultural diversity of the capital region’s neighbourhoods via eight themed routes. Alongside a walking tour initiative, these routes help ease pressure in the city centre.
Throughout 2018, the city has also run a campaign to promote Zero Waste, and has launched new rules on plastic bag disposal and has committed to reducing plastic straw use in bars and restaurants.