Belgium Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 13 July 2025

Belgium, known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and world-famous chocolate and beer, attracts millions of tourists every year.

How many people visit Belgium each year?

Over 9.64 million international tourists visited Belgium in 2024.¹

• In 2019, Belgium welcomed 9.34 million international visitors. When the pandemic began in 2020, this number dropped by 72% to 2.58 million visits.

• By 2021, Belgium experienced an increase of 26% in international tourism with 3.24 million visitors. Inbound tourism rose to 8.22 million visitors in 2022 and continued to recover in 2023 with 9.28 million visitors.

• In 2024, Belgium welcomed 9.64 million international visitors, marking the highest number of recorded visitors in history, representing a 3% increase compared to 2019 and a 4% increase compared to 2023.

How many people visited Belgium in 2024?

• Belgium welcomed a total of 18.92 million tourists in 2024, comprising 9.64 million international arrivals and 9.28 million domestic trips. This figure represents a 5% growth over the record pre-pandemic level of 2019 and a 2% uptick compared with 2023.
  
  

How many people visited Belgium in 2023?

• In 2023, Belgium welcomed 18.58 million visitors, with 9.28 million international tourists and 9.30 million domestic travellers. This represented a 3% increase from the peak pre-pandemic year of 2019.
  

How much do tourists spend in Belgium every year?

Domestic and international visitors spent a combined $26.40 billion during trips to Belgium in 2024, representing a 30% increase compared to 2019 and a 14% increase compared to 2023. ²

• Inbound tourist expenditure in Belgium generated $10.58 billion in 2019.³

• This number decreased to $14.30 billion in 2020 due to coronavirus travel restrictions, before recovering to $16.40 billion in 2021.

• Domestic and international visitor expenditure recovered in 2022 totalling $20.20 billion during trips to Belgium. In 2023, visitors spent $23.10 billion, a 14% increase compared to 2019.

How much does Belgium make from tourism in 2024?

• In 2024, Belgium’s tourism sector generated $26.40 billion, a 14% increase from $23.10 billion in 2023, and  surpassing pre-pandemic levels of $20.30 billion by 30%.
  
  

How much does it cost to visit Belgium?

On average, a trip to Belgium in 2024 cost $1,395 per visitor. In 2023, the average spend was $1,243, meaning 2024 saw a 12% rise in per-person spending.

• Key spending categories include lodging, food & beverage, shopping, and local transport, underscoring tourism’s significant contribution to Belgium’s hospitality and retail sectors.

Note: This is calculated by dividing total tourism spending by the total number of visitors (international and domestic).

Which countries visit Belgium the most?

The leading sources of foreign tourists to Belgium in 2024 were the Netherlands, followed by France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.⁴

• In 2024, the Netherlands was the top source of international visitors to Belgium, accounting for 2.44 million visits with 25% of market share.

• France contributed about 15%, with 1.40 million tourists. Germany accounted for 1.25 million international visits with a market share of 13%.

• The United Kingdom contributed 820,000 visits (9%).

• The United States contributed 480,000 visits (5%).

How long do visitors stay in Belgium?

• Tourists generally spent 2.4 nights per visit in Belgium, marking a 6% increase over the 2020 average length of stay. ⁵

• In 2020, tourists generally spent 2.26 nights exploring Belgium’s popular cities and attractions.
  

Where do tourists stay in Belgium in 2024?

In 2024, tourists in Belgium stayed predominantly in hotels, accounting for 11.67 million visitors (about 62 % of all visitors) choosing this type of accommodation.

• Others stayed in holiday homes and apartments (1.88 million, 9.9 %), youth hostels (1.61 million, 8.5 %), holiday centres and villages (1.37 million, 7.2 %), other short-stays rental (0.74 million, 3.9 %), guest rooms (0.64 million, 3.4 %), and camping grounds and RV parks (1.01 million, 5.3 %).

Belgium Tourism Statistics – Economic Impact 2023

• In 2023, Belgium’s travel and tourism generated a total tourism revenue of $26.4 billion, growing by 17.4% . This represented 4.7% of the nation’s total economic output.

Note: While some detailed economic impact metrics are still pending, preliminary WTTC data shows significant growth in tourism revenue and visitor spending for 2024.

• Despite the strong recovery, the sector’s economic contribution was still 10.9% below the levels seen in 2019.

• The sector also boosted employment, with nearly 313,000 jobs reflecting a 6.2% year-on-year increase and matching the employment levels of 2019.
  

What are the peak tourist months in Belgium?

The peak tourist months in 2024 were August, July, May, October and June.⁶

• With 2.05 million visitors, August was the most popular month in 2024. Tourists were attracted by the lively Brussels Summer Festival and the colourful Antwerp Pride celebrations.

• July 2024 saw 1.99 million visitors. Tourists were driven by the world-renowned Tomorrowland festival and the vibrant Gentse Feesten.

• In May, 1.88 million tourists travelled to Belgium for the renowned Brussels Jazz Marathon and the international arts festival.

• 1.67 million visitors travelled to Belgium in October for the Belgian Beer Weekend and the Brussels Design Market.

• In June, 1.64 million visitors arrived, drawn by the Festival of Flanders and the Ghent Summer Festival.

When is the best time to visit Belgium?

• The best time to visit Belgium is from April to May when the weather is mild, flowers are in bloom, and tourist crowds are smaller.

• Another great time is June to August, especially for those who enjoy festivals, longer daylight hours, and warm temperatures

• September is also ideal, offering beautiful autumn scenery, comfortable weather, and fewer visitors.
  

How popular is Belgium as a tourist destination?

• Belgium ranked 18th globally in recent years in World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index, reflecting its strong infrastructure, health and hygiene standards, and cultural appeal 

• World Travel Awards: Belgium regularly features as a nominee and winner in categories such as leading hotels, boutique hotels, destination management companies, and travel agencies. 

• Belgium is renowned for its historic cities (Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp), cultural festivals, culinary scene (chocolate, beer), and scenic landscapes (the Ardennes, coastal areas).⁷
  
  

Belgium Travel Resources

• Car rental prices in Belgium
• Car rental prices in Brussels
• Car Rental Prices in Charleroi
  
  
  

Belgium Travel Statistics – International & Domestic Tourism

In 2024, Belgium’s tourism rebound continued with 9.64 million international visitors and 9.28 million domestic visitors, totaling 18.92 million arrivals. ⁸

• Pre-Pandemic Period (2016-2019): Belgium experienced steady growth in both international and domestic visitors, peaking in 2019 with 18.06 million visitors.

• Pandemic Impact (2020-2021): The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted tourism, causing a 59 % overall drop in visitor numbers across both segments.

• Despite the pandemic, domestic tourism showed more resilience compared to international tourism, reflecting reliance on local travel during global disruptions.

Why do people visit Belgium?

Shopping, leisure, visiting friends and relatives, business trips, and other personal reasons were the main reasons why international tourists visited Belgium in 2024.⁹

• Leisure travel comprised the majority at 65.18% due to Belgium’s historic cities, cultural festivals, and scenic landscapes.

• Business travel made up 29.07% of visits because Belgium is considered a hub for international business and conferences, particularly in Brussels, which hosts numerous EU and NATO meetings.

• Visits for VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) accounted for 4.47% of the total visitors, indicating that travellers visiting Belgium for personal connections and family gatherings.

• Other reasons constituted 1.28% of visits.
  

Which regions are the most visited in Belgium?

Belgium’s three main regions attracted millions of overnight stays in 2024, with the Flemish Region leading.¹⁰

• The Flemish Region had 28.24 million overnight stays, mainly for its historic cities, museums, and canal tours.
  
  • West Flanders recorded 12.13 million overnight stays, known for beaches, Bruges, and WWI sites.

• The Walloon Region, which is popular for nature, castles, and scenic towns, had 9.23 million overnight stays

•  The Brussels Capital Region saw 7.37 million overnight stays, and is popular with visitors for landmarks, museums, and food.
  
  

Places to Visit in Belgium

• Brussels is the vibrant capital of Belgium, known for its stunning Grand Place, historic architecture, and world-class chocolates.
  
• Bruges is a picturesque medieval town famous for its scenic canals, cobblestone streets, and romantic ambiance.
  
• Ghent is a lively city that combines medieval heritage with a youthful atmosphere, offering castles, cathedrals, and a buzzing nightlife.
  
• Antwerp is a dynamic city celebrated for its thriving fashion industry, diamond trade, and the masterpieces of Rubens.
  
• The Ardennes is a beautiful region of rolling hills and dense forests, ideal for hiking, outdoor adventures, and exploring ancient castles.
  
  

Europe Travel Resources

• Austria Statistics
• Croatia Statistics
• Denmark Statistics
• France Statistics (incl. Paris, Disneyland Paris, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame)
• Georgia Statistics
• Germany Statistics (incl. Berlin)
• Greece Statistics (incl. Parthenon)
• Iceland Statistics
• Italy Statistics (incl. Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice)
• Netherlands Statistics (incl. Amsterdam)
• Norway Statistics
• Portugal Statistics (incl. Lisbon)
• Spain Statistics (incl. Barcelona, Madrid, Mallorca)
• Sweden Statistics
• Switzerland Statistics
• UK Statistics (incl. Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Oxford, Scotland)
  
  
  

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References

1. StatBel: International Tourist Arrival ↩︎
2. WTTC: Overall Tourism Revenue ↩︎
3. WorldData: International Tourism Revenue ↩︎
4. StatBel: International Tourist Arrival by Country ↩︎
5. StatBel: International Average Length of Stay ↩︎
6. TradingEconomic: Monthly Visitors in Belgium 2023 ↩︎
7. WorldData: Belgium Ranking ↩︎
8. StatBel: International plus Domestic Arrivals ↩︎
9. Slovenia: 2020 Purpose of Visits in Belgium ↩︎
10. Statbel: Most visited district in Belgium in 2022 ↩︎