JANSEN-VERBEKE M, VANDENBROUCK (2005) Tourism in Brussels, Capital of the ‘New Europe’. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, 7:109–122. ABSTRACT: This paper considers the potentials and pitfalls of European Union enlargement for tourism development in Brussels, and it explores the role of eurocrats in mediating Brussels as a destination. As a result of enlargement, Brussels may consolidate and eventually strengthen its position as a destination for business tourism. Eurocrats may be a major consumer group but as champions their role is tempered by a discrepancy between visitation and appreciation of the city’s offer. By inspecting eurocrats’ views in a framework of current marketing attempts and the politics of promotion, the paper attempts to make recommendations on how to take advantage of new opportunities accession may bring. |