Huge recovery in Brussels’ museums with 4.150.000 visitors in 2022
In 2022, the Brussels’ museums recorded a total of 4,150,000 visitors, an increase of no less than 56% compared to 2021 (2,650,000 visitors). Compared to the pre-corona year 2019, there is still a slight decrease of 16%, but this is mainly due to a lower attendance figure in the first quarter of 2022 as a result of the omicron wave. From April 2022, there is a remarkable recovery, with a monthly total exceeding the record year of 2019. For the second half of 2022, we even notice an increase of almost 7% compared to 2019. These positive figures concern all Brussels museums, both large and small. Museums with a more touristy visitor profile, which were particularly hard hit during the Corona crisis, have also experienced a real revival. The much improved health situation, which led to a strong revival of international leisure tourism, certainly played a crucial role in these positive figures.
In 2022, the Brussels’ museums recorded a total of 4,150,000 visitors, an increase of no less than 56% compared to 2021 (2,650,000 visitors).
For museums, the encouraging return of national and international visitors is certainly a boost after two very difficult corona years. The outlook for 2023 is also promising, although significant challenges remain for the future: rising wage costs, energy prices, and the costs of products and services in general mean that the financial equilibrium of museums is still under severe pressure. It remains to be seen how the war in Ukraine and the resulting international economic situation will evolve.
The non-profit organisation, Brussels Museums, is already looking forward to an exciting museum year in 2023, with a new season of Nocturnes every Thursday evening from 13 April to 18 May 2023, a new edition of Museum Night Fever on 21 October 2023, the opening of Belgian Beer World in the Bourse building and the openings of the Hannon Museum and the Hotel van Eetvelde in the framework of the Year of Art Nouveau.
