The coastal region of Belgium has seen a noticeable decline in overnight tourist stays this July compared to last year, primarily due to unpredictable weather conditions throughout the month.
According to data from Westtoer, the provincial tourism corporation, the drop in overnight stays was 6% compared to July 2023. This trend was attributed to a combination of fluctuating weather and a later start to summer holidays for French-speaking Belgians.
Despite this decrease in overnight accommodations, the region experienced a surge in day visitors. The number of day-trippers increased by 8% compared to the previous year, reflecting a positive shift in daytime tourism.
Westtoer reported that the weekend of July 20th and 21st was particularly busy, with an estimated 300,000 daily tourists flocking to the seafront over the two days.
Hotel occupancy along the coast averaged around 70% in July, showing a slight dip from the previous year.
However, the latter half of the month brought more stable weather conditions, which helped bring occupancy rates back in line with those of July 2023.
This improvement underscores the impact that consistent weather can have on tourism, particularly for overnight stays.
Flemish visitors made up approximately 62% of overnight stays, while French-speaking Belgians accounted for 23%.
Among international tourists, Germans were the most frequent visitors, followed by the French and Dutch. This distribution highlights the ongoing appeal of the coastal region to both domestic and international travelers.
The holiday homes sector faced mixed results in July. While some providers reported a minor uptick in occupancy rates, others saw a decline. Westtoer attributed this variance to the unpredictability of last-minute bookings, which did not meet expectations this month.
Overall, the rise in day-tripper numbers, driven by improved weather in the latter part of July, demonstrates the resilience of the coastal tourism sector despite challenges.
The peak visitor days on July 20th and 21st were a testament to the region’s enduring appeal, even in the face of less favorable conditions earlier in the month.
Westtoer remains optimistic about the remainder of the summer season, noting that stable weather patterns can significantly influence both day and overnight tourism.
The organization continues to monitor tourism trends closely and is hopeful for a strong finish to the summer season.
