New Guidelines: Festivals Mandated to Display Prices in Euros

Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Starting next summer, festival organizers must display prices in euros for drinks and food, even if using their own currency. New guidelines aim to increase transparency and prevent unfair trade practices.

From Next summer, festivals are obliged to clearly display the prices of drinks and food in euros, and not just in vouchers, tokens, coins or ‘pearls’. This is stated in new guidelines from the FPS Economy. It has come to light that Cashless systems are particularly useful at festivals. Converting the Coins at Werchter, the Skullies at Graspop or Pearls at Tomorrowland to euros is not always simple or transparent. Especially as the day and the party progress.

What are the obligations outlined in the guidelines?

New guidelines have been issued for festival organizers. These came after a consultation between the sector and State Secretary for Consumer Protection Alexia Bertrand (Open VLD). The guidelines state that festivals or events must display prices in euros even if they use their own currency.

“State the amount in euros in a font that is the same size and clear as the prices in the event coins and in the same field of view,” according to the new guidelines. The guidelines mention a number of best practices, but they are not without obligation. Certain “unfair trade practices” are indeed prohibited. For example, administration costs for cashless charging or for receiving a refund must be reasonable and in line with the market.

How will violations of the guidelines be addressed?

In case of a complaint, the Economic Inspectorate can start an investigation at the request of the minister or on its own initiative. “The assessment is done on a case-by-case basis,” the guidelines further state. If there are violations, a fine may be imposed.

Why is transparency important for festival attendees?

The new rules came after the commotion last summer. The Economic Inspectorate then started an investigation when it turned out that visitors to Rock Werchter, among other places, had to pay administration costs to get their remaining ‘coins’ back. “We have looked at the guidelines,” says Nele Bigaré, spokesperson for Rock Werchter. “And we are completely fine.” A similar story at Tomorrowland. “Conversion tables were already available at the festival, in the app and on our website last year,” says spokesperson Debby Wilmsen. “We don’t have to adjust anything.”

The guidelines also recommend using round amounts. This is to increase transparency for visitors. At Tomorrowland, 11 Pearls cost 10 euros. “Round amounts are not feasible for us because up to 40 per cent of our visitors pay in a currency other than euros,” says Wilmsen. “Also: the ‘Pearls’ are part of the world we create. Tomorrowland is a different world. A country’. And that includes its own currency.”