Brussels breaks tourism records with 10 million overnight stays in 2024, marking a major milestone for the city’s steadily growing global appeal.
The achievement was celebrated at the first-ever visit.brussels Night, held at the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts on April 3, 2025, where more than 1,000 tourism professionals gathered to recognize the city’s leading contributors to travel, culture, and events.
The festive evening showcased the strength of Brussels’ diverse tourism ecosystem, uniting business and leisure stakeholders under one roof.
Organised by visit.brussels, the event was a major platform to highlight the sector’s record-breaking success, as well as the new directions it is heading. The celebration also marked the city’s growing role on the global conference stage, with nearly 8,000 meetings and events hosted in 2023, placing Brussels among the top three cities in the world for international association conferences.
A Night of Recognition and Impact
The 2025 edition of the visit.brussels Awards took place during the evening, recognizing standout projects that contributed to the city’s image, innovation, and visitor experience.
These are the winners of the 2025 visit.brussels Awards by category.
1. Brussels International Icon Award
Anima Festival – Folioscope asbl/vzw
2. Brussels Best Smart Experience Award
Stoclet 1911 – urban.brussels
3. Brussels Best Co-creation Award
MolenFest – Molenbeek for Brussels 2030 asbl/vzw
4. Brussels Treasure Award
Exhibition – A Century of Belgian Comics – Comic Strip Museum
5. Brussels’ Digital Content Creator of The Year Award (category subject to public vote only).
Belge une fois
6. Brussels Best Reviews Award by MMGY-TCI Research (category not subject to public vote or jury vote)
Hungry Mary Food Tours
These awards celebrate organizations that not only engage residents and visitors but also reflect Brussels’ creative spirit and future-forward vision. With more than 10,000 public votes cast, the recognition reflected a strong community engagement with the city’s cultural and tourism identity.
The event also paid tribute to 18 new Brussels Ambassador honorees—professionals who helped bring major international conferences to the city in fields such as medicine, law, and academia. These ambassadors play a key role in positioning Brussels as a hub for global dialogue and knowledge exchange.
Tourism Growth That Tells a Bigger Story
The milestone of 10 million overnight stays is not just a number. It signals a strong recovery after years of global travel disruptions and positions Brussels as a resilient, multifaceted destination. The city saw significant growth in both leisure and business travel, with international visitors returning in large numbers to explore its iconic landmarks, contemporary arts scene, culinary heritage, and wide range of professional events.
In addition to its classic draws—like Grand Place, Atomium, and world-famous chocolates—Brussels is being reimagined through public and private sector collaboration. Cultural programming, sustainable tourism, and inclusive experiences are reshaping how both tourists and locals interact with the city.
visit.brussels continues to play a central role in guiding that transformation, ensuring the city remains not only a must-see European capital but also a model for tourism excellence.
As the lights dimmed on the first visit.brussels Night, one thing was clear: the city’s future is bright, its welcome wide, and its place in the global travel conversation stronger than ever.
