Luxembourg’s Minister for Culture and Minister Delegate for Tourism, Eric Thill (centre);
Credit: Otilia Dragan/Chronicle.lu
On Friday 12 April 2024, the official opening of the tourist season took place at Place d'Armes in Luxembourg City with the launch event of the “Lëtzebuerg dat ass Vakanz!”(holidays in Luxembourg) campaign.
A centrally located tent with windows is currently showcasing tourism opportunities, local produce and crafts and various products the Grand Duchy offers. Organised on Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April 2024 by Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Economy (General Directorate for Tourism), this year’s event aims to promote cultural tourism, including the discovery of industrial and architectural heritage and festivals connected to national and local traditions and regional products. Luxembourg’s Minister for Culture and Minister Delegate for Tourism, Eric Thill, the Mayor of the City of Luxembourg, Lydie Polfer and the Alderman of the City of Luxembourg, Maurice Bauer, were present for the 2024 tourism season opening.
During the three days at Place d'Armes, the Luxembourg City Tourist Office, the five regional tourist offices (ORT) and various tourist and cultural actors from the different regions will highlight their information stands, present the numerous practical workshops and guided tours this diversified tourist-cultural offer in the Grand Duchy. On Friday afternoon, visitors could discover the various Luxembourg castles, including the Château de Beaufort liqueur production, a flower farm to cut one’s own flowers in Lilien (close to Echternach), Mullerthal produce, Guttland and Moselle trails and various cultural offers across the country. It is an occasion to discover surprising local produce that most may not be aware of, including mustard, oil pasta, wine and various little-known cultural activities.
In his opening speech, Minister Thill emphasised the success of the 2023 tourism season, noting that the numbers recorded exceeded the expectations by 10%. He added that 90% of survey respondents concerning travel in Luxembourg indicated they were pleasantly surprised and that they would return to the Grand Duchy in the future. Furthermore, he stressed that 75% of respondents specified they had come to Luxembourg to discover its cultural offer. Beyond highlighting the importance of commemorative tourism for the years to come, he noted that digitalisation and sustainable tourism will feature highly among his priorities.
Mayor Lydie Polfer added that Luxembourg has unique elements to offer and emphasised the beauty of various touristic attractions such as the Bourscheid Castle, Vianden, Mullerthal, the South and Luxembourg City with its newly opened Casemates (Casemates de la Pétrusse). “People should know that our country has a lot to offer,” she concluded.
