Meet in Oostende
Tourism Ostend nominated for Marketing Company of the Year at the Belgian Marketing Awards 2024
Meet in Oostende|
September 29, 2024

Toerisme Oostende vzw has been nominated for the prestigious title of Marketing Company of the Year at the Belgian Marketing Awards 2024. This recognition underlines the dedication and success of Toerisme Oostende in transforming Ostend into an attractive cultural City by the Sea.


The nomination for the Belgian Marketing Awards recognizes companies that excel in marketing and innovation, and that have a positive impact on their sector. In addition to Eneco and Albert Heijn, Toerisme Oostende was the third organization to be nominated as “Marketing Company of the Year”. Toerisme Oostende is praised for its progressive marketing strategy, in which it has managed to create a unique mix of maritime charm and culture. Over the years, the organization has placed a strong focus on strengthening Oostende as an all-year-round destination, both in its marketing policy and in the creation, organization and support of events.


"This nomination is a confirmation of the long-term vision of Toerisme Oostende and the close cooperation between the city services and the private sector. Major investments have been made on both sides. We have worked hard to make Oostende more than just a summer destination. There is a high-quality cultural offer all year round and there are also numerous events in spring and autumn. We are proud of this nomination that shows that the strategy works and that Oostende is more than ever the City by the Sea." - Mayor Bart Tommelein


Transformation of Ostend: From Image to Reality

In the 1990s, Ostend struggled with a less positive image. Tourism Ostend played a key role in the repositioning of the city, developing a strong narrative that emphasised the city’s maritime and cultural assets. By following a long-term strategy, Ostend has managed to use its unique features, such as its authentic urban life and its location by the sea, to distinguish itself from other seaside resorts and cultural destinations.


The results of these efforts speak for themselves. Hotel occupancy immediately returned after the corona crisis and is now 9% higher than the average of other coastal municipalities. The number of four-star hotels has grown from 6 to 10, with two new hotels planned in the coming years. The culinary offering has also seen enormous growth, with the number of Gault & Millau restaurants rising from 4 to 14.


"It is a long-term project. We were the first tourist service to draw up a strategic policy plan, with a clear vision. We have been faithful to this for 25 years now and work on an updated plan every five years that takes into account the latest tourist trends. We always base ourselves on input from our tourist entrepreneurs and fellow city services, whereby we want to create the broadest possible support. This ensures that we can organise events and actions that not only fit the identity of Ostend, but are also widely supported. This nomination gives us great pleasure and confirms that it has not gone unnoticed by outside professionals. Being nominated together with international companies Albert Heijn and Eneco is an honour and a confirmation of the hard work of the entire team." - General Manager of Toerisme Oostende vzw Peter Craeymeersch


Innovative Marketing Approach

One of the pillars of Toerisme Oostende's success is their innovative marketing strategy. Through strong digital presence on social media and targeted email campaigns, they know how to create and maintain a loyal community of fans. With almost 100,000 followers on Facebook, 27,500 on Instagram and 45,200 on TikTok, Toerisme Oostende is a leader in the field of digital marketing in the tourism sector.


In addition, the organization has set up successful events such as the Shrimp Croquette Festival, FAAR, the international Photo Biennale, Ostendaise North Sea Food Fest and The Crystal Ship, which put the city in the spotlight as a culinary and cultural hotspot, even outside the summer season.


Future-oriented Marketing

Toerisme Oostende looks ahead to the future with a strong focus on content creation and hyper-personal communication. By using data analysis and technological innovations, the organization continues to optimize and renew its marketing strategies, always with a view to creating authentic and meaningful experiences for its visitors.


About the Belgian Marketing Awards

The Belgian Marketing Awards recognize outstanding achievements in marketing within Belgium. The awards are presented to companies that combine innovation and creativity with sustainable growth. The winners will be announced on November 6, 2024.

show original

Like Comment