Almost 20 years ago, Willem Tieleman started operating the Euromast, an iconic silhouette in the skyline of Rotterdam. In 2016, it was time for a new step; becoming the owner of the imposing structure. Investments that were not made before that time could now take place in full; a renovation and a thorough revamping of its interior. The renewed Euromast welcomed many new visitors; in 2019 there were approximately 560,000 visitors, a record number.

 

Rotterdam has now become an international city, partly due to investments in such architectural highlights as the Markthal and De Rotterdam by Rem Koolhaas. The more interesting the surroundings become, the more interesting it becomes to view them from above. The Euromast is the right place for this, now even more than before.

 

The new owner of the Euromast, the French family business called "M56", is specialized in high altitude tourist attractions. This organization includes the Montparnasse Tower in Paris, the TV Tower in Berlin and 2 observation towers in the United States. A major international player, who like no other is able to give the Euromast the prestige it deserves.

 

After almost 20 years it is time for Willem Tieleman to pass on the baton. "M56 is the perfect successor for our Euromast, because they are able not only to think big, but also to invest big. The developments they have in mind will raise the international prestige of Rotterdam in general and the Euromast in particular as an attraction to unprecedented heights" Willem Tieleman said.

 

Alexia Vettier, CEO of the M56 Group is extremely happy and proud that the Euromast is now part of the organization. "Since the creation of the Group in 1974, Mr Jean Bernard and Mr JP Ferroud, the founders of the Company have always looked for iconic and atypical sites in cities full of energy and that have things to tell. Euromast is the perfect candidate to join the 4 observatories of the M56 Group and to accompany its international development. Together with Euromast, we will be keen to magnify this vibrant city of Rotterdam and to provide both residents and tourists with a unique experience of the city as seen from the top."

 

 

The fair is growing more every year. This year, in an almost sold out Lijsterhal, there are more exhibitors compared to previous years. So even more anime merchandise. Thanks to the new layout, they have more room for TomoTaste and extra stalls have been added. This means various stalls with Japanese cooking! Delicious Japanese crêpes, Takoyaki, Yakitori, Japanese shaved ice, various fresh noodles dishes and more. There is also a variety of Japanese drinks.

 

Besides a lot of shopping, there are also various shows, demonstrations, workshops and other facilities. One of them is a photographer. He ensures that you are beautifully photographed (with or without cosplay). Alone or with your friends. And for the first time there is a four-player DDR setup, a Super Smash tournament, more than twenty retro consoles, a retro LAN and various card and board games, both free-play and tournaments.

 

The people behind the Tomo Foundation have been organizing events since 2013 to promote Japanese culture. The foundation was founded in September 2013 by three friends who already know each other from the first year of secondary school. Friendship, meeting and connecting are central to all their events. "Tomo" means "friend" in Japanese (freely translated).

 

Did you become curious? Next year TomoFair will be in Rotterdam on Saturday, February 20, 2021.

 

As of May 2020, the high-speed train from Rotterdam to London will travel directly to England. Until now, Eurostar travellers still had to change trains to Brussels-Midi.

On 18 May, the first direct train will depart from Rotterdam. From 18 May there will also be a passport control in Rotterdam. The train journey from Rotterdam to London will now be a lot shorter than before, due to the elimination of border control in Brussels. Passengers boarding in Rotterdam take 3.5 hours to travel to London.

You can find one-way tickets starting at 40 euros.

Rotterdam Centraal is the best-appreciated train station in our region. In the annual 'Station Experience Monitor' of the NS (Dutch Railways), the station receives a score of 7.8. This also makes it the best rated central station in the Netherlands. A title it shares with Arnhem Central Station.

NS has been conducting research into passenger satisfaction with stations for some time now. At larger stations this is done several times a year. Smaller stations do so once a year.

 

According to the researchers, travellers have started to appreciate their train station more and more. In 2014, 64 percent of those surveyed gave their station a rating of 7 or higher. Now that's 77 percent.

Lage Zwaluwe station has the lowest rating. That station received a 5.9. That is a fraction lower than, for example, Dordrecht-Zuid and Rotterdam-Alexander, which receive the same rating rounded off.