Belgians made 1.8 million more trips in 2018
The total number of travels of the Belgian population increased by 1.8 million (10 %) between 2017 and 2018, according to the travel survey of Statbel, the Belgian statistical office. Belgians made 20.5 million trips of at least one night last year.
Just under two thirds of the Belgian population travelled at least once in the past year (64%).
12.15 million trips covered 4 nights and more. 5% of these trips were for professional reasons.
For 8.35 million trips, the stay was limited to 1 to 3 nights. 11% of these trips were made for professional reasons.
Belgium and France are the favourite holiday destinations
In total, the Belgian population has therefore made 19 million trips for holiday purposes.
For short trips of 1 to 3 nights, Belgium is the main destination (41%), followed by France (22%) and the Netherlands (14%). Almost all of these trips (98%) are made within the European Union’s frontiers.
For long trips of 4 nights or more, France comes first (24%), Belgium and Spain are ex aequo (14%). The destination of 84% of these trips is a country of the European Union.
Number of travels by destination, duration and motif, 2018 (in milliers)
| Destination | Trips of 1 to 3 nights | Trips of 4 nights or more | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holidays | Professional trip | Total | Holidays | Professional trip | Total | |
| Total | 7,464 | 885 | 8,349 | 11,590 | 559 | 12,149 |
| European Union | 7,363 | 834 | 8,197 | 9,775 | 359 | 10,134 |
| Belgium | 3,050 | 199 | 3,249 | 1,577 | 46 | 1,623 |
| France | 1,677 | 177 | 1,854 | 2,990 | 75 | 3,065 |
| the Netherlands | 1,067 | 107 | 1,173 | 411 | 9 | 420 |
| Germany | 516 | 87 | 603 | 313 | 29 | 342 |
| Spain | 154 | 22 | 176 | 1,574 | 47 | 1,621 |
| Italia | 145 | 46 | 191 | 711 | 31 | 742 |
| Other EU | 754 | 196 | 950 | 2,198 | 122 | 2,320 |
| Other European countries | 64 | 27 | 91 | 483 | 65 | 549 |
| Africa | 30 | 15 | 45 | 653 | 28 | 681 |
| North-America | 1 | 5 | 7 | 196 | 45 | 241 |
| South-America | 1 | . | 1 | 194 | 6 | 200 |
| Asia | 4 | 4 | 8 | 285 | 52 | 338 |
| Oceania | . | . | . | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Statbel (Direction générale Statistique - Statistics Belgium) | ||||||
Purpose and brief description
Travelling, whether domestic or international, for business or holiday, is becoming increasingly important in our way of life. This brochure presents the main results of a survey on the travel behaviour of Belgians. Travel habits have been followed since 1997 via a continuous quarterly survey amongst households. You will find here data regarding the duration and the motives of the trip, the destination, the accommodation type, the means of transport used and how the trip has been organised. The traveller's origin is also surveyed.
Population
Inhabitants in Belgium
Data collection method and sample size
Survey technique based on the use of paper questionnaires
Frequency
Annually.
Timing of publication
Results available 6 months after the reference period
Definitions
Number of trips: Trips of the inhabitants with at least one overnight stay. Day trips are also taken into account since 2014.
Duration of the trip: The duration of the trip is measured as the number of nights.
Purpose of the trip: There is only one main purpose for a trip, in the absence of which the trip would not have taken place. The Directive distinguishes two main reasons to travel:(i) business and professional; (ii) holidays, recreation and leisure. Holidays due to 'Visits to friends and relatives' should be included in point (ii).
Traveller: person who travels during the reporting period.