The tourism sector along the Belgian coast is very satisfied with the recent spring half-term holiday known as the 'crocus holiday', according to provincial company Westtoer.
There were 850,000 overnight stays, which is 30% more than last year. The highest number of overnight stays occurred during the second weekend. Both weekends were a hit for coastal hotels, with an average occupancy rate of up to 75%. Occupancy rates varied from resort to resort, with some noting hotel occupancy rates of over 80 percent.
The coast recorded approximately 750,000 day-trippers during the spring half-term holiday, which is about 50 percent more compared to last year. The busiest days were during the last weekend, with up to 150,000 day-trippers visiting the coast. Sunday, 2nd March, which included various carnival events, was particularly popular with about 130,000 day-trippers.
Due to the new school holiday schedule in French-speaking Belgium, French-speaking Belgians had a two-week holiday. Westtoer noted that due to slightly poorer weather during the first week, many French-speaking Belgians visited the coast during the second week, together with Flemish holidaymakers. French-speaking Belgians accounted for 25% of the overnight stays during this second week.
“The recent spring half-term holiday was a boost for tourism,” said Jurgen Vanlerberghe, Deputy and Chairman of Westtoer. “The coast is positioning itself more than ever as a year-round destination.”
