Disappointing autumn holiday figures for Belgian coast

The number of tourist overnight stays on the Belgian coast during the autumn holidays was about 20% lower than last year, according to new figures from tourist office Westtoer.

There were also 15% fewer daytrippers, but Westtoer nevertheless remains positive about the draw of the Belgian coast in all seasons.

“Despite the absence of a long weekend during these autumn holidays, the coast continues to prove its appeal,” said provincial deputy Jurgen Vanlerberghe, responsible for tourism and president of Westtoer.

“The attendance at events and cultural activities shows that our coastal municipalities are able to create a varied and inspiring offer for every season.”

The Westtoer tourist office points to the absence of a long weekend this year - as the 1 November public holiday fell during a weekend - as the cause for lower figures, rather than the weather.

This year, between 1 and 1.1 million overnight stays were booked at the seaside during the two weeks of the 2025 autumn holidays, according to Westtoer’s visitor barometer.

During the first week, only residents with children in the French-speaking school system were on holiday, while the second week also coincided with the Flemish autumn holidays.

In terms of daytrippers, 850,000 such tourists visited the coast during the two-week holiday period.