Major Tourism, Cultural Developments Unveiled Across Luxembourg

On Tuesday 20 August 2024, during a tourist and cultural hike, Luxembourg’s Minister of Culture and Minister Delegate for Tourism, Eric Thill, and the Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Yuriko Backes, presented the future development of various major tourist sites, attractions and accommodation structures that support economic development in the different regions of the country.

The development of the old slate quarries in Haut-Martelange continues

During the first stage of the hike, MinisterThill visited the extraction cellars of the so-called "Johanna" mine and then presented the current and future projects of the national institute for architectural heritage (Institut national pour le patrimoine architectural - INPA)  to modernise and further enhance the Slate Museum in Haut-Martelange. One of these projects concerns the restoration and conversion of the sumptuous former residence, dating from the 19th century, of the owner of the site, the Rother family.

The "Villa Rother" is undergoing major restoration work that will be completed in the summer of 2026 to house, in particular, a library, an archive, a classroom for educational workshops, as well as an exceptional collection of photos by Nic. Molitor giving a valuable insight into the region and its inhabitants at the time. Nic. Molitor, who passed away in 1952, was a friend of the Rother family and had taken many photos of the region, the daily life of the inhabitants of the region and the slate quarries of Haut-Martelange.

Another development project of the site carried out by the INPA in Haut-Martelange concerns the reconstruction of the old canteen and a former splitters' workshop to convert them by 2028 into a restaurant with two dining rooms and a terrace, while retaining the character of a former factory canteen. To carry out these two projects, a total provisional financial envelope of €11 million is planned.

Another project on the site of the former slate quarries in Haut-Martelange envisages the transformation of several old buildings and workers' houses into tourist accommodations. This project is in its initial phase and has not yet been budgeted.

Minister Thill said: "Industrial heritage is a reflection of our economic and social history. Preserving and promoting it as we do in Haut-Martelange or Fond-de-Gras means offering future generations a window on our past while offering visitors to these sites a unique cultural and tourist experience."

Tourism report: a promising first half of 2024

During the second stage of the hike, Minister Thill visited the Fuussekaul campsite, whose owner, Henri Brack, showed him around its "urban" heating system, which provides hot water and heating for part of the campsite's sanitary facilities. Covering a total area of ​​40 ha, the Fuussekaul campsite in Heiderscheid is the only establishment in Luxembourg that is rated five stars according to the official campsite classification.

During a press briefing, Minister Thill presented the tourism report for the first half of 2024. With more than 3.4 million overnight stays for all accommodation sectors last year, the figures for the first half of 2024 confirmed the positive development of the sector. Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC) for the first six months of 2024 indicate that hotel arrivals increased by 5% (overnight stays: up 5%) compared to the same period in 2023, and that arrivals at campsites were down due to bad weather in May by 3% (overnight stays: down 17%). Youth hostels recorded an increase in arrivals of 4% (overnight stays up 2%) in the first half of 2024.

Minister Thill stated: "Business tourism is gradually picking up again and leisure tourism is stabilising at a high level. The wide variety of landscapes offered in the country's five tourist regions, as well as our historical, architectural and industrial heritage, continue to be Luxembourg's major assets as a quality tourist destination."

A new youth hostel in Vianden

During the third stage of the hike, Minister Thill was joined by Minister Backes to visit the construction site in Vianden, where the former retirement home, adjacent to the Trinitarian church, is being converted into a modern youth hostel. This ambitious project meets a growing demand for tourist accommodation, aiming to revitalise the city centre and preserve a valuable architectural heritage.

The new youth hostel in Vianden will replace the current one located at the foot of the castle. With an increased capacity, it will offer 120 beds spread over 30 rooms, each equipped with private bathrooms. The project will also include meeting rooms, a cafeteria with a terrace and various multifunctional spaces, thus offering a complete experience to visitors.

Respecting the principles of sustainability, the building will be designed according to rigorous low energy consumption standards. High-quality thermal insulation, triple-glazed windows and a heating system using renewable energies will ensure a reduced environmental footprint. The installation of energy-efficient LED lighting will also contribute to this objective. The total cost of this project amounts to €18.3 million including VAT, with commissioning scheduled for early 2026.

"This ambitious project is not limited to the renovation of a historic building. It is about creating a modern and innovative infrastructure that meets the expectations of today's tourists. Accessibility of tourist infrastructure is essential, and this new youth hostel is a perfect example of this, since it is located in the city centre. With these improvements, we will create a place where tradition and modernity meet, while making Vianden even more welcoming for all," said Minister Backes.

Minister Thill commented: "A successful tourism policy presupposes the existence of modern and quality accommodation structures. With Lultzhausen, Vianden and Ettelbruck, we will eventually have three youth hostels in the north of the country that constitute an additional lever for the tourism and economic development of this region."

"Beim Mulles," a new tourist lodge on the main street in Vianden

The tourist and cultural hike ended in Vianden with a visit to the tourist lodge "Beim Mulles" named after its former owner, an emblematic figure of Vianden. The gentle restoration of this old house to maintain the authentic quality of its historical structure, the preservation as much as possible of its original character and its conversion into a tourist lodge are the main elements of this project launched by the entrepreneur Pascal Zimmer who already operates four other accommodation structures of this type in Luxembourg.