After a year without British school visits, tourism in Westhoek must now rise again

British tourism is extremely important for the Westhoek. In 2019 – before the corona crisis – about 88,000 British overnight tourists came to the Westhoek. Last year there were barely 2,000. British schools also dropped out due to the corona crisis.

“Here we see the consequences of a war”

But today the first school is still visiting. It is a class from the British Suffolk. “A visit to the Westhoek is not mandatory for the students, but we have to offer it to them more than ever,” says history teacher Mark Speakman. “Here we see the consequences of a war.” According to him, that is not unimportant with what is happening today.

By the way, Tourism Flanders and Westtoer are doing everything they can to get the British back here. For example, this afternoon they are giving a tour for 50 British tour operators.