Since 2021, winter tourism in Flanders has experienced a strong revival, supported by winter events, short city trips and continued international interest. West Flanders plays an absolute pioneering role in this, with the provincial capital Bruges. Bruges recorded more than 368,000 overnight stays last winter, an increase of more than 50% compared to two years earlier. This can largely be explained as a recovery from the corona pandemic. According to Degrande, the popularity of Bruges can also be explained by the efforts of Toerisme Vlaanderen and by the presence of the Warmest Week in 2023 and 2024.
Also striking: Bruges has more day tourists in the winter period than in the summer period. Moreover, approximately 80% of tourists come from abroad.