Tourism in Brussels, capital of the `New Europe（旅游业在布鲁塞尔,资本的u201C新欧洲u201D）.pdf

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH Int. J. Tourism Res. 7, 109–122 (2005) Published online in Wiley InterScience (). DOI: 10.1002/jtr.516 Tourism in Brussels, Capital of the ‘New Europe’ Myriam Jansen-Verbeke*, Sylvia Vandenbroucke and Sofie Tielen Department of Social and Economic Geography, University Leuven, 42 W. Decroylaan, B3001 Leuven, Belgium ABSTRACT Short and Kim, 1999). Among and within these networks there is concerted competition, This paper considers the potentials and not least for capital, labour and influence. pitfalls of European Union enlargement for Tourism is a central feature in the mediation of tourism development in Brussels, and it these networks and the operation of the cities explores the role of eurocrats in mediating themselves (Hoffman et al., 2003). As Church Brussels as a destination. As a result of and Frost (2004) note, tourism is a vital com- enlargement, Brussels may consolidate and ponent in the functioning of labour markets eventually strengthen its position as a in global cities. Perhaps more importantly destination for business tourism. Eurocrats international mobility is a key feature in the may be a major consumer group but as production and consumption of major urban champions their role is tempered by a spaces. Business is transacted and politics discrepancy between visitation and are played out through international visits. appreciation of the city’s offer. By Tourism offers place marke