German visitors have been an important target group for coastal tourism for years. According to Tourism Flanders, Germans accounted for approximately 700,000 overnight stays on the Flemish coast last year. Moreover, that number is still on the rise.
Mayor John Crombez of Ostend also sees advantages. “It is a big 3.5 hours from Cologne to Ostend. That is so short, easy, practical, quality and affordable that an important part will choose to do that. And that should mean more tourists with fewer cars.”