The number of overnight stays in Belgian tourist accommodations was 2,005,647 in December 2021. On a national level, most overnight stays were in holiday homes (19%) and hotels (53%).
Compared to December 2020[*], this is 205% more overnight stays. In hotels, the number of overnight stays increased by 277%. If we compare with 2019, there is however a decrease of 28% in general, and of 37% for hotels.
In the Walloon Region, there were 432,245 overnight stays, which corresponds to an increase of 175% compared to December 2020. In the Flemish and Brussels-Capital Regions, 1,227,051 and 346,351 overnight stays were recorded respectively, which is an increase of 177% and 505% respectively compared to December 2020. The Flemish Region and the Walloon Region both register decreases compared to December 2019, of 22% and 20% respectively. In the Brussels-Capital Region, the decrease remains significant (-48%) compared to December 2019.
Remarks
Holiday parks and camping sites had to close from 3 November 2020 to 7 February 2021. Hotels and B&Bs could stay open, but restaurants and bars had to close. Meals had to be taken in the room.
As of 8 February, holiday villages and camping sites were allowed to reopen but their pools, common indoor areas and facilities such as restaurants and bars had to remain closed.
On 8 May 2021, outdoor cafés were allowed to reopen, and from 9 June 2021 horeca inside was also allowed.
Swimming pools were allowed to reopen on 8 May 2021. In practice, this was often not (yet) the case in holiday parks due to the 1.5 metre rule.
Camps and school trips with overnight stays have not been allowed until June 2021 included.
Exceptionally, figures for youth hostels and for bed and breakfasts are only available on a national level for the months of January, February and May and on a regional level for March, April and June.
[*] When interpreting the evolution between the same months of consecutive years, it is important to take into account the differences in the number of holidays, school holidays or weekends between these two months.