Fewer overnight stays and day tourists on the coast

The average hotel occupancy in July and August was about 75 percent, which is 7 percent less good than in 2022. Day tourists also found their way to the coast less often. There, Westtoer recorded about 4.9 million visitors in July and August, a decrease of about 15% compared to 2022.

Popular abroad

Remarkable is the great interest of holidaymakers from neighboring countries, with German overnight tourists at the forefront. Foreign holidaymakers account for 15 percent of all tourist overnight stays. This means they are doing about 5 percent better than last year. “The Coast is not only a destination for Belgians from Flanders and French-speaking Belgium. The broad interest from foreign holidaymakers from neighboring countries is also a boost,” says Sabien Lahaye-Battheu, deputy and chairman of Westtoer.

The camping sector on the Coast has had a solid summer season, but is also facing lower turnover due to the changeable weather. Many holidaymakers left home early or canceled their stay immediately. The campsites do notice great interest from foreign holidaymakers from Germany, the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.