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Record hotel stays in Brussels: Almost equal balance between business and leisure tourism

11:15 26/12/2019

Brussels’ hotels registered a record 9.4 million nights in 2019, according to figures released by Visit.Brussels on Thursday.

The hotel sector in the capital experienced a 7% growth in 2019. In 2010, the number of hotel stays registered was 5 million, while in 2018 there were 8.8 million. The rise in numbers is attributed to the high number of fairs and congresses in the Brussels region. They generated 11% additional hotel nights in a year.

"This allows us to have almost a balance between business tourism and leisure tourism," said Patrick Bontinck, CEO of Visit.Brussels.

"It's better to guarantee constant hotel attendance instead of a succession of peaks and quiet periods. Today, we have an occupancy rate of 80% during the week, 65% at the weekends," he added.

January was the quietest month in 2019, with 62% occupancy, while June and October reported the highest with more than 83%.

The notoriously tricky month of December is proving an increasingly popular month for city-trip visitors to Brussels. The Winter Wonders festivities in the city-centre are the big attraction, believe the city’s tourism and hotel authorities.

“Brussels is clearly on the map of Christmas markets to visit. We have been nominated in the best European Christmas markets for the third consecutive time. Today, we can say that we are in the top three Christmas markets because of its diversity and size,” said Bontinck.

Photo: © Plaisirs d’hiver, Visit.Brussels