In order to analyse the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, Statbel has been publishing since July 2020 provisional quarterly estimates of Belgian population travel in its Datalab. A year later, the experimental results have been validated and quarterly results can now be used as official statistic from the reference period of the first quarter 2021.
In the first quarter 2021, the number of trips made by the Belgian population remained very low. There were 58% fewer trips than in the first quarter 2020, which was only slightly affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
Travellers remain in the country
Trips abroad in particular have suffered. The number of trips abroad in the first quarter 2021 was 87% lower than last year.
The few trips made by Belgians were in the country: 77% chose to stay in Belgium.
The Ardennes (37%) and the coast (32%) were the most common Belgian destinations.
Also far fewer business trips
Business travel is experiencing a similar decline. The number of these trips was in the first quarter 2021 61% lower than in the same period of the previous year.
Regional differences
The trends are the same, irrespective of the region. In the first quarter 2021, the decrease is slightly more significant in Wallonia and Brussels than in Flanders, with respectively 59%, 61% and 57% fewer trips than in 2020.
Same-day visits abroad
Also for excursions abroad we note in the first quarter a very sharp decrease: -87% compared to 2020.
Remarks
Every year, the Belgian population is asked about its tourist and business trips. Each quarter, a sample of people is drawn to complete a questionnaire on the trips made in the last three months. This survey is designed to have valid results over the whole year.
The quarterly results published above are provisional. Therefore, there can be some minor differences between this publication and the annual, final, publication.
Trips are recorded in month of last travel day.