Tourists returned to the Belgian capital last year, according to the Brussels Hotels Association (BHA), but while visitor numbers increased last year, they still remained below 2019 levels, visit.brussels tourism office said in a statement on Monday.
With an occupancy rate of 63.2% in December, Brussels hotels ended 2022 on a positive note. For the year as a whole, the BHA recorded an average occupancy rate of 58.7%, still way below the 74.6% posted in 2019.
Although the first months of any year are traditionally quieter, the hotel industry believes the health crisis played a role in the first half of the year. However, the figures improved in the second half. “This is a major boost for the capital’s hotel industry after two particularly difficult years,” said visit.brussels.
The tourism office revealed that the figures were particularly good at weekends. Many tourists from neighbouring countries, especially France, made reservations. However, visitor numbers were lower during the week, as the industry is still waiting for the return of business tourism.
For the first time, leisure visitors are in the majority on weekdays.
The initial outlook for 2023 is also promising, as flight bookings for the coming months show that many Italians and Spaniards will flock to the Belgian capital.
In contrast, outside Europe, bookings are more limited, noted visit.brussels
