Brussels — Despite a legal mandate that came into effect in March, only four out of numerous festivals in Belgium are adhering to the requirement of accepting cash payments for tickets, parking spaces, and camping spots.
This regulatory shortfall has led to widespread non-compliance in the festival sector, raising concerns among consumer rights organizations.
The legislation, aimed at preventing discrimination and ensuring equal treatment of consumers, stipulates that vendors must accept cash if payment occurs in person.
However, as the festival season progresses, it appears that only Les Ardentes, Dour, Esperanzah, and Ronquières are following this rule.
Major festivals such as Couleur Café, Graspop, Paradise City, Brosella, Francopholies, Pukkelpop, Rock Werchter, Tomorrowland, and Lokerse Feesten have yet to implement cash payment options.
Laura Clays, spokesperson for the consumer rights group Test-Achats, expressed frustration over the ongoing non-compliance.
“Only a handful of festivals are meeting the legal requirements. Many festivals have chosen to ignore the cash payment law, forcing consumers into a cashless system that often lacks transparency and fairness,” Clays told The Brussels Times.
Test-Achats has reached out to several festivals to remind them of their legal obligations. The responses varied, with some festivals claiming they offer cash payment options under certain conditions, such as when tickets are not sold out.
However, Clays noted that these conditions are often not clearly communicated on festival websites, leading to consumer confusion and frustration.
The lack of transparency extends beyond payment methods. Festival-goers frequently encounter unexpected fees, unclear conditions for ticket purchases in instalments, restrictions on ticket resale or exchanges, and opaque information about the value of festival tokens.
For instance, attendees at Les Ardentes and Paradise City were surprised by additional charges added at the end of their booking process. Test-Achats argues that such practices constitute misleading commercial behavior and undermine consumer trust.
Moreover, issues related to “dark patterns” that encourage overconsumption, as well as requirements to purchase multiple festival tokens at once, further complicate the consumer experience.
Clays highlighted these concerns, emphasizing the need for better regulatory oversight in the festival industry.
In response to these ongoing issues, the Economy Ministry issued payment guidelines for festival organizers in April. However, Test-Achats criticizes the guidelines for lacking clear obligations and enforcement mechanisms.
Clays called for more explicit regulations regarding cash payments, refund policies in case of cancellations, and the justification of fees for activating festival tokens.
“Festivals are businesses like any other and should be subject to the same level of scrutiny and regulation,” Clays asserted. “Consumers deserve transparency and fairness, especially when they are spending significant amounts on entertainment.”
Festival-goers who encounter issues related to payment methods or other concerns are encouraged to report their experiences through a dedicated feedback form provided by Test-Achats.
As the festival season continues, it remains to be seen whether more events will align with the legal requirements and address the pressing concerns raised by consumer advocates.
For now, festival-goers should remain vigilant and aware of their rights regarding payment options and additional charges.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
