Editing Hasselt (section)

== Branding ==
Since the early 2000s, Hasselt has been known within Flanders for its distinctive and sometimes outspoken branding as a city. In 2002, former mayor, [[Steve Stevaert]], introduced the catchphrase "Hasselt Capital of Taste" (Dutch: ''Hasselt Hoofdstad van de Smaak''),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-03-30 |title=De smaken van Hasselt - Stad Hasselt |url=https://www.hasselt.be/nl/collections/854/de-smaken-van-hasselt.html |access-date=2024-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330035447/https://www.hasselt.be/nl/collections/854/de-smaken-van-hasselt.html |archive-date=30 March 2013 }}</ref> creating a well-known brand image across the Flemish region to promote its touristic attractions, stores and local industries.

After 15 years the city decided to rebrand to "Hasselt has it" (Dutch: ''Hasselt heeft het'').<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Dirk |last2=Vandenreyt |first2=Caroline |date=23 June 2017 |title=Nieuw stadslogo kostte 115.000 euro: "Hasselt heeft het" |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20170623_02938238 |work=Het Belang van Limburg}}</ref> However, the city's old branding remained in use by its citizens and beyond. Five years later, due to this brand recognition, the city decided to reverse to the original catchphrase in spoken communication, and use ''"Hasselt Smaakmaker Spraakmaker"'' in written communication and visuals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Dirk |date=30 November 2022 |title=Hasselt heeft heimwee naar 'Hoofdstad van de Smaak': "We willen dat gevoel terug" |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20221130_97241017 }}</ref>

In 2023, a dating platform had selected Hasselt as the Belgian city with the most eligible singles. The city developed a tourism campaign based on this claim, showing diverse couples throughout the city within promotional videos and posters, while also strategically highlighting the claims of the dating platform. The campaign saw the use of a new catchphrase "Hasselt tastes like more" (Dutch: ''Hasselt smaakt naar meer''), building further on their earlier catchphrase "Hasselt Capital of Taste".<ref>{{Cite web |last=NWS |first=VRT |date=2023-05-12 |title=Stad Hasselt lanceert opvallende filmpjes voor nieuwe toeristische campagne "Hasselt smaakt naar meer" |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2023/05/12/opvallende-campagnefilmpjes-om-toeristen-naar-hasselt-te-brengen/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=vrtnws.be |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vandenreyt |first=Caroline |date=12 May 2023 |title=Gedurfde campagne van Stad Hasselt: "Hier vind je de knapste vrijgezellen van het land" |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20230512_93730112 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Vandenreyt |first1=Caroline |last2=Jacobs |first2=Dirk |date=14 December 2023 |title=Bierkaartjes in 400 cafés moeten toeristen in Hasselt aan een lief helpen |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20231214_95612723 }}</ref>