Hotels in the city of Antwerp in Belgium are looking back on a successful year-end. December 2025 proved to be an excellent month, with occupancy 8% higher than in the same period last year. Overall, however, 2025 was only an average year, and 2026 is expected to be challenging.

Hotels across Antwerp clearly felt the increased activity in recent weeks. According to Didier Boehlen, chairman of the Antwerp Hotel Association and manager of Hotel Rubens, weekends performed very strongly, and some weekdays also saw good results. The fact that Christmas Day fell on a Thursday worked in the sector’s favour, as many visitors turned it into a long weekend with multiple overnight stays.

Between 19 December and the end of the year, room occupancy in Antwerp hotels was 8% higher than last year. The standout moment was the weekend of Saturday 13 December. Thanks in part to the festive atmosphere in the city and Christmas shopping, the average room rate reached 185 euros and occupancy rose to 96%. Average revenue per room was 12.7% higher than a year earlier.

An average 2025

Overall, 2025 was neither a bad nor an outstanding year for Antwerp’s hotels. From January to November, average room occupancy stood at 70.4%. While this was higher than last year and symbolically important in exceeding the 70% threshold, the average room rate declined. 

As a result, total revenue increased by only 1% compared with the previous year, which is considered insufficient given inflation.

Boehlen believes hotels will not be able to pass the upcoming VAT increase on to customers, as room prices are already under pressure. He warns that margins are being eroded as a result.

Weekdays v. weekends

Weekday bookings continue to weigh on overall performance. While hotels in Antwerp generally perform well at weekends, demand from Monday to Thursday remains a major challenge. Economic weakness in some countries further dampens travel, as potential visitors choose to stay at home.

Business travel in particular, which traditionally takes place during the week, has declined sharply. 

According to Peter Nuiten, manager of Lindner Hotel Antwerp, companies previously used hotels for presentations, training sessions and seminars, often combined with overnight stays. Since the coronavirus crisis, remote working has become more common, companies increasingly use their own vacant spaces, and many meetings now take place online via platforms such as Teams.

VAT

Hoteliers expect these trends to persist in the coming years. In addition, the sector faces a VAT increase introduced by the federal government. 

From 1 March 2026, VAT on hotel accommodation will rise from 6% to 12%. Boehlen says this increase will be strongly felt. With room prices already under pressure, hotels are unlikely to pass the higher VAT on to guests, meaning margins will shrink further. 

As a result, cost-cutting measures are likely, including greater use of digital solutions to replace staff.

Airbnb and outlook for 2026

Boehlen expects 2026 to be a difficult year, even though Flemish Minister of Tourism Melissa Depraetere (Vooruit) announced in early December that a registration requirement will be introduced for providers of small-scale accommodation, including people renting out their homes via platforms such as Airbnb.

According to Nuiten, the key challenge will remain the average room rate. In recent years, many new hotels have opened in Antwerp, but this expansion has not translated into higher occupancy. When supply exceeds demand, prices fall. Among the Flemish art cities, Antwerp already has one of the lowest average room rates.

On tourism

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