The official opening of the Channel tunnel this year aims to help revitalize the northwest part of Belgium although the country 's biggest ports still suffer a loss in traffic . Flanders , the area most likely to benefit , has experienced rapid increases in traffic . Two main areas for development are : firstly , increasing traffic as holiday makers and cruise carriers head towards the tunnel , in Calais and , secondly , tourism . West Flanders is home to some of the best - known World War 1 battlefields and large , open green spaces . The biggest advantage is the close cooperation between national and federal authorities with French and UK counterparts .
The official opening of the Channel tunnel this year promises to help revitalize the northwest regions of Belgium although the country's biggest ports will suffer a loss in traffic. Flanders, the area most likely to benefit, has suffered rapid increases in unemployment. Two main areas for development are: firstly, increasing traffic as holiday makers and freight carriers head towards the tunnel opening in Calais and, secondly, tourism. West Flanders is home to some of the best-known World War 1 battlefields and large, open green spaces. The biggest advantage is the close cooperation between national and federal authorities with French and UK counterparts.