“The scars of war are painfully visible in our Westhoek. Every year, our memorial museums and sites attract 350,000 visitors, because they realize that peace and security do not come by themselves. That lesson is more important today than ever. That is why we must continue to invest in the commemoration of that history,” says Minister Depraetere.
The Westhoek plays a key role in Flemish tourism. Remembrance tourism attracted more than 352,000 visitors in 2024, 30% of whom were from the United Kingdom. Belgians, Dutch, Canadians, Australians and other international visitors also flock to the museums, cemeteries and memorial sites in the region. “The Westhoek and the Coast are top tourist regions with a major impact. These investments strengthen that strength and enrich them with new experiences,” says Jurgen Vanlerberghe, deputy for tourism and chairman of Westtoer.