This summer we are digging a little deeper into our pockets for our well-deserved rest. The average travel budget of Belgians has increased by 5 percent and amounts to 1,690 euros. Spain and France remain our absolute top destinations. This is evident from the 2026 summer barometer of the Belgian travel sector.
Source: Belga
The number of Belgians who go on holiday in July and August remains approximately the same as in previous years. What is striking: we record our holiday plans in advance en masse. “No less than 90 percent of all trips are booked at least three months before departure,” says Koen van den Bosch, managing director of the Association of Flemish Travel Agencies (VVR).
On average, travelers will spend 1,690 euros on their summer holiday this summer. For travel in Europe or just beyond, the Belgian spends an average of 1,835 euros, for intercontinental destinations it is 3,803 euros (+10.6 percent).
Which destinations?
The most notable winner this summer is Greece (+1.5 percent). It overtakes Turkey as the most popular destination for Belgians, after Spain (number 1) and France (number 2). Italy also manages to charm many more of its compatriots (+3.3 percent) and occupies fifth place in the top 10. Portugal follows in 6th place, the US takes seventh place, Austria occupies eighth place and Germany ninth. Our own country completes the top 10.
Doubts about Turkey and US
Between March and April we booked noticeably fewer trips to Turkey, mainly due to the events in the Middle East. Although interest is picking up again, the country is losing 13 percent of its Belgian tourists.
The United States also has to make significant concessions and receives 18 percent fewer Belgians. Many travelers were reluctant to travel to these distant destinations for a while, fearful of potentially higher fuel prices.