International Tourism Destinations

This guide provides a detailed plan for a 2-week trip to Belgium, including client profile, international transportation, key information, attractions, accommodation, food, transportation, culture, customs, shopping, and entertainment.

Running head: INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
International Tourism Destinations
Name of the Student:
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1INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
Table of Contents
1. Client profile................................................................................................................................2
2. International transportation and travel documentation................................................................2
3. Key Information...........................................................................................................................3
4. Attraction, Accommodation, food and transportation in destination..........................................4
5. Culture and customs....................................................................................................................6
6. shopping/ Entertainment..............................................................................................................6
Reference.........................................................................................................................................8

2INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
1. Client profile
Clients - Mr Vincent Li (DOB 19 Jan/73), his wife Alison Parker (DOB 24 Sep/75) and
her children Jeremy (DOB 23 Dec/10) and Claudia (DOB 04 Feb/12) wish to take a trip to
Europe and spend 2 weeks in July where there are lots of things to do. The parents are well
travelled and Jeremy and Claudia are happily touring around with their parents, especially the
outdoors and spooky castles. Their last trip as a family was to Jamaica for March break. The only
thing they didn't like was that they stayed in one place the whole time and the kids found it
boring. Mr Vincent doesn't mind driving.
In Western Europe, Belgium is a small country and it contains a lot of history within the
borders. The place is very small and thus the clients can easily travel to any part of the tourist
destination with just 3 to four hours of travelling by train. The client is looking for castles and in
Belgium has plenty like the Castle Gravensteen, Bouillion Castle. The whole tour of 2 weeks is
perfect for a family setting.
2. International transportation and travel documentation
The client can take a flight to get from Toronto to Belgium and back. The Air Canada
provides a cheap and a better option in comparison to the other air flight operated by Air Transat
and Wow Air. Considering other options for transportation is not feasible due to time
consumption.
Flight date ranges from 3rd July 2018 to 17th July 2018. The flight times are scheduled to
be from 18:00 hours to 07:15 hours. The airline chosen for the flight is Air Canada and the class
is economy (Air Canada).

3INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
The travel documents that are required to enter into Belgium are Passport and Return
Ticket (World Travel Guide). No other documents are required to be obtained upon arrival in
Belgium.
3. Key Information
The destination capital city is Brussels and the airport name is Brussels airport with the
airport code being BRU (World Airport Codes). The currency of Belgium is Belgian franc and
the currency code of Belgium is euro (EUR). The conversion rate is 1 dollar=BEF 34.6.
The language spoken in Belgium are German, Dutch and French and these are all official
languages. The main foreign languages spoken in Belgium is English (flandersnews.be). Thus,
there is no need for the client to learn new phrases.
The time zone of Belgium is Central European Time (World Travel Guide). The plug
types used in Belgium is called Type C and Type E. while it is always suggested that the client
must bring with themselves the travel adaptor (electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk).
The tour is planned for the month of the July and July is actually the hottest month with
an average temperature that raises 18 degrees Celsius. Thus, considering the temperature it isa
proper time for the tour (Holiday-weather). whereas, it is important to mention that the month of
December can be the best month for the tour.
The travel advisory is marked as level 2: Exercise increased caution and the reason is the
terrorism (Travel.state.gov).

4INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
4. Attraction, Accommodation, food and transportation in destination
In order to enjoy the suggested places of interest, restaurants, entertainment it is
important to note that in Belgium there are multiple ways to travel. The most extensive is the
public transport network and provides an easy access from one place to another by using metro,
trams, buses and trains. The public transport network provides an excellent transport choice
which is both efficient and cheap. Train offers the best solution to move from one city to another
and takes less time. Buses provide the convenient means of travel and it is important to note that
the this covers a wide area of the network which is not served by the other public transport
system. The underground metro and the tram are the ideal ways to get around the city and at the
same time provide less traffic and hindrance within the city limits (Expatica).
The two restaurants that can be suggested for the clients to taste the local cuisine are Fin
de Siecle, NoordzeeMer du Nord (Tripadvisor.in). A perfect example of a local dish of Belgium
is modules et fries or Moules-Frites and the major ingredients are mussels, potatoes, white wine
(belgium.beertourism).
Attraction/activity itinerary
Activity and
Transportation
Details and Reason Recommended Hotel(name and area of
town)
Day 1 Visit Canals of
Bruges. For
transportation, boats
are used.
This region is also called the Venice
of North. The boat rides among the
canals provide a nice way to see the
most beautiful sites in Bruges.
Green Park Hotel
Bruges.
Day 2 Grand Place This is Brussels main landmark. The Radisson Blue Royal

5INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
Grand Palace dates back as 11th
century.
Hotel
Day 3 Castle of Gravensteen It is a 12th century Castle and was
used as a factory and a prison.
Inside the prison, there are torture
devices.
Ghent Marriott Hotel
Day 4 Tournai Cathedral The cathedral has a 5 bell tower
ceiling that reaches up to 157 feet. It
has the architectural features of
Gothic, Transitional and
Romanesque.
Cathedrale
Day 5 Antwerp Central It is the main central station in
Antwerp, Flanders. It is a complete
stone building and is 144 feet high.
Theatre Hotel
Day 6
Buillon Castle
It sits upon the hill and it said to be
dating back to the Romans
Duc De Bouillon
Day 7 Mons Belfry It is the home to the Baroque belfry
in Belgium.
Hotel Dream
Day 8 Leuven Town Hall This building looks like a cathedral
and is a seat of the government.
Ambassador Suites
Leuven

6INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
Figure 1: Brussels and neighbouring capitals.

7INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
Figure 2: Detailed map of Brussels
Figure 3: Brussels tourist destinations

8INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
Figure 4: Brussels map (source: Google Maps)

9INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
5. Culture and customs
Belgium as a country provides a varied culture due to the cultural diversity while it is expected
that the if in doubt a Canadian can speak English in order to communicate with the other people
in Belgium. A brief handshake is a common gesture in Belgium (Tripadvisor.com).
One thing that might impact the client is that the country is not a homogeneous one thus a
generalized view is not applicable with respect to the Belgians. The different areas are influenced
by different cultures that are adopted from the adjacent countries (Commission-global).
In the areas where there are attractions, transportations, restaurants, hotels tipping is not
common whereas, it is important to note that the if any tourist is happy with the service. He or
she might give an extra tip (Tripadvisor.com).
Considering the trip plan, the only festival that the clients can enjoy is the Ommegang
festival which takes place in Brussels. This festival takes place from 4th to 6th July (Expatica).
It is important to note that there is a travel advisory relating to the issues of terrorism and
it is rated level 2.
6. shopping/ Entertainment
The best shopping areas in Belgium are ReuNeuve, Chausseed’lxelles, Reu Antoine
Dansaert, Avenue Louise &Toison d’Or, Reu du Bailli (Thebulletin.be).
The best items and the best souvenirs or best buys for the destination are the
Wittamercare Floor, Anne Zellien necklace, Kvadrat x Raf Simons throws, Kris Van Assche
sunglasses, Maison Martin Margiela blazer, L’Antichambre perfume, Dries van Noten shoes.

10INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
The other things to buy are chocolates, comic books, lace, jewellery, cigars, beer, candy
(Gpsmycity).
Belgium has a rich source of nightlife and the entertainment options. The cities offer
lively social scenes and nightlife. Popular sports in Belgium is football, auto racing and cycling
(Expatfocus).

11INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
Reference
Aircanada.com. "Air Canada - The Official Website". Aircanada.Com, 2018,
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home.html#/faredriven:1. Accessed 3 July 2018. Accessed
3 July 2018.
belgium.beertourism. "Typical Dishes - Beertourism.Com". Belgium.Beertourism.Com, 2018,
https://belgium.beertourism.com/food/typical-dishes. Accessed 3 July 2018.
Commission-global. "Belgium - Language, Culture, Customs And Business Etiquette".
Commisceo-Global.Com, 2018,
https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/belgium-guide. Accessed 3 July
2018.
electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk. "Travel Adaptor For Belgium". Electrical Safety First, 2018,
https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/for-travelling/travel-adaptor-for-
belgium/. Accessed 3 July 2018.
Expatfocus. "Belgium - Leisure, Entertainment And Sports | Expatfocus.Com". Expatfocus.Com,
2018, http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-belgium-leisure-entertainment. Accessed 3 July
2018.
Expatica. "Belgium Transportation: Trains, Metro, Buses And Taxis In Belgium". Expatica.Com,
2018, https://www.expatica.com/be/about/Belgium-transportation-Trains-metro-buses-and-taxis-
in-Belgium_100109.html. Accessed 3 July 2018.
Expatica. "Top Belgian Festivals 2018". Expatica.Com, 2018,
https://www.expatica.com/be/about/Festivals-in-Belgium_104668.html. Accessed 3 July 2018.

12INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
flandersnews.be. "Which Languages Are Spoken In Belgium?". Flandersnews.Be, 2018,
http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/flanders%2Btoday/1.1003140. Accessed 3 July 2018.
Gpsmycity. "What To Buy In Brussels: 15 Ideas For Travelers". Gpsmycity.Com, 2018,
https://www.gpsmycity.com/articles/25-what-to-buy-in-brussels-15-ideas-for-travelers.html.
Accessed 3 July 2018.
Holiday-weather. "Brussels Average Annual Weather - Holiday Weather". Holiday-
Weather.Com, 2018, https://www.holiday-weather.com/brussels/averages/. Accessed 3 July
2018.
Thebulletin.be. "Five Of The Best Shopping Streets In Brussels". Thebulletin.Be, 2018,
https://www.thebulletin.be/five-best-shopping-streets-brussels. Accessed 3 July 2018.
Travel.state.gov. "Belgium Travel Advisory". Travel.State.Gov, 2018,
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/belgium-travel-
advisory.html. Accessed 3 July 2018.
Tripadvisor.com. "Belgium: Tipping &Amp; Etiquette - Tripadvisor". Tripadvisor.Com, 2018,
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g188634-s606/Belgium:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html.
Accessed 3 July 2018.
Tripadvisor.in. "The 10 Best Brussels Restaurants Of 2018 - Tripadvisor". Tripadvisor.In, 2018,
https://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurants-g188644-Brussels.html. Accessed 3 July 2018.
World Airport Codes. "Brussels Airport Code For Belgium's Capital City Airport". World
Airport Codes, 2018, https://www.world-airport-codes.com/belgium/national-zaventem-
1072.html. Accessed 3 July 2018.

13INTERNATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS
World Travel Guide. "Belgium - World Travel Guide". World Travel Guide, 2018,
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/europe/belgium/passport-visa/. Accessed 3 July 2018.
World Travel Guide. "Belgium - World Travel Guide". World Travel Guide, 2018,
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/europe/belgium/passport-visa/. Accessed 3 July 2018.