Free Flanders Fields Pass To Boost Return Of Visitors

VisitFlanders tourism organisation in Belgium is offering visitors a free ‘Welcome Back To Flanders Fields Pass’.

This visitor pass for the Flanders Fields area it is hoped, will to help to kick-start tourism to West Flanders again.

Working with museums and tourist attractions.  In order to encourage and welcome the return of visitors with offers of free or discounted passes within the area.

Flanders Field Museum included in the Flanders Fields pass and a 50% discount for entry.

Once general Covid travel restrictions have been freed up.  Then Flanders is poised ready to get visitors back to the area of Flanders Fields.

World War 1 Battle Scars

Synonymous with its century old battle scars of World War 1. A place of craters and memorials.  With both Allied and German cemeteries within the area.

One of the cemeteries in Flanders. © Piet De Kersgieter.

Before the pandemic it had long been accustomed to a steady flow visitors.  Many of thousands of international and US visitors too.

The Westhoek region of Flanders, with its landscape of rolling hills. Punctuated with charming villages and bustling cities of pilgrimage for many tourists in the past.

Ypres at night today many places around it are included on the free Flanders Fields pass.

Some come to investigate their own heritage.  Or just to satisfy their interest in one of the World’s most deadly conflicts.

However, the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has made its mark on the region.

Flanders Field Museum entry with 50% discount. © Piet De Kersgieter.

With an absence of its usual international audience.  Visitors most notable from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US and elsewhere too have been missed.

The locals are certainly eager to extend their usual warm hospitality and are looking forward to welcome the patronage of such new guests again.

Free Flanders Fields Pass To Help Boost Tourism

VisitFlanders together with stakeholders from across the region, have produced the ‘Welcome Back to Flanders Fields Pass’.  In hope of bringing back those missing visitors again.

Attractions within the scheme include.  The In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, and Memorial Museum Passchedaele in Zonnebeke.

Memorial Museum Passchedaele in Zonnebeke.

Also, a wealth of the smaller, privately-run sites. Such as the award winning Hooge Crater museum in Ypres. Plus, the Talbot House in Poperinge.  Or the Lange Max Museum in Koeklaere.

Hooge Crater museum in Ypres.

Whilst many of the region’s visitor attractions do have a WW1 theme.  However, this part of Belgium is also important for the country’s renowned brewing industry.

Museums such as Poperinge’s Hop Museum.  Plus, addition tours to some of the region’s other breweries.  These too are included in the Pass.

A Hop Museum also included in the free pass and visitors will get a 50% discount for entry.

A number of private tours are included. There are opportunities to explore miles of dedicated cycle routes.  With discounts on bike hire, on both traditional bicycles, as well as e-bikes.

The Welcome Back to Flanders Fields Pass will be available to international visitors at no cost.  If they book a stay directly with one of the region’s participating accommodation providers.

Further information will be available at: www.flandersfields1418.com/welcomeback

Guide To Discounts And Free Entrances:

First World War Museums and Centres

In Flanders Fields Museum ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Yser Tower ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Westfront Visitor Centre ^{FREE ENTRY.}
Hooge Crater Museum ^{FREE ENTRY.}
Lange Max Museum ^{FREE ENTRY.}
Käthe Kollwitz Museum ^{FREE ENTRY.}
Guynemer Pavilion ^{FREE ENTRY.}
Talbot House Museum ^{FREE ENTRY.}

First World War Sites

Trench of Death ^{FREE ENTRY.}
Bayernwald ^{FREE ENTRY.}

Ypres and surrounds

In Flanders Fields Museum ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Hooge Crater Museum ^{FREE ENTRY.}
Kazematten Brewery ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Ypres Museum ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Bellewaerde Park ^{25% REDUCTION.}

Yper Museum ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Jules Destrooper Visitor Centre ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Command Bunker ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Bellewaerde Park ^{25% REDUCTION.}

Zonnebeke and surrounds
Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 ^{50% REDUCTION.}

Diksmuide and surrounds
Yser Tower ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Lange Max Museum ^{FREE ENTRY.}
Käthe Kollwitz Museum ^{FREE ENTRY.}
Trench of Death ^{FREE ENTRY.}
De Dolle Brouwers ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Poperinge and surrounds
Talbot House Museum ^{FREE ENTRY.}
St Bernardus Brewery ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Hop Museum ^{50% REDUCTION.}

Nieuwpoort and surrounds
Westfront Visitor Centre ^{FREE ENTRY.}

Langemark Poelkapelle and surrounds
Guynemer Pavilion ^{FREE ENTRY.}

Lo-Reninge and surrounds
Jules Destrooper Visitor Centre ^{50% REDUCTION.}

Heuvelland and surrounds
Bayernwald ^{FREE ENTRY.}
Command Bunker ^{50% REDUCTION.}

Breweries and Belgian Beer Heritage

St Bernardus Brewery ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Kazematten Brewery ^{50% REDUCTION.}
De Dolle Brouwers ^{50% REDUCTION.}
Hop Museum ^{50% REDUCTION.}

List of accommodation providers within the scheme: https://www.visitflanders.com/en/themes/flanders_fields/welcomeback/participating-accommodation/