Day trips remain an important pillar of tourism in Antwerp, research by Westtoer shows. It mapped out day tourism in Belgium between 2021 and 2022. During that period, Antwerp received 4.5 million day trips by compatriots, representing a turnover of 195 million euros in the Antwerp economy.

These are some of the results of a new study on day trips by Belgians to Flanders and Brussels by the Province of West Flanders institution Westtoer with the support of Toerisme Vlaanderen, the five Flemish provinces, the non-profit organization Kunststeden Vlaanderen and Visit Brussels. 

During a full year (June 2021 – June 2022), 3,000 Belgians were surveyed every two weeks about their day trips to Flanders and Brussels.

4.5 million day trips to Antwerp

​ For the survey, this definition of a day trip was used:  day trip involves trips of more than twenty kilometers outside the own municipality where the traveler is away from home for more than three hours. 

During one year, the researchers recorded 81 million day trips by Belgians to Flanders and Brussels. The art cities Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Mechelen and Leuven and Brussels together account for 30 million day trips. Antwerp accounts for 4.5 million day trips.

The research shows that 9 out of 10 Belgians on a day trip in Antwerp come from Flanders itself, the other 10% from French-speaking Belgium.​ 

About 1 in 5 groups (17.9%) on a day trip travel with children. This is slightly below the Flemish average (21%). On average, a group on an Antwerp day trip consists of 3.3 people.

The most popular activities during a day trip to Antwerp are a visit to a restaurant or café (70.7%), shopping (52%), walking (52%), visiting a museum or attraction (23.7%) and attending events and/or concerts (6 .8%).

Alderman for Tourism Koen Kennis (N-VA): “I see the accents we place in our policy, in which we profile Antwerp as a city with a lot to experience. Antwerp is not a decor city. You go shopping and a bite to eat, or you visit a museum and have a drink on a terrace, or you combine an event with a city visit, where you come for the atmosphere in the city.”

Day tourists to Antwerp generate a turnover of 195 million euros

On average, a Belgian day tourist in Antwerp spends 43.32 euros during the day trip: 20.72 euros goes to a restaurant and café, 9.74 euros for shopping, 7.37 euros for admission, 1.23 euros for food and drink and 4.26 euros for other things such as parking, fuel and public transport. 

The average Belgian day tourist therefore spends more in Antwerp than in the Flemish Art Cities and Brussels. Catering and shopping in particular make the difference here.

3.4 million trips by environmental recreationists

In addition to classic day tourism from our own country, Westtoer also investigated tourism by local recreationists. This concerns trips outside one’s own municipality, but no further than twenty kilometres.

During one year, the researchers recorded 55 million trips by environmental recreationists to Flanders and Brussels. Antwerp receives 3.4 million trips from this.

Logically, local holidaymakers to Antwerp mainly come from Antwerp and East Flanders. 16.6% of environmental recreationists have children with them. On average, a group consists of 3 people.

The most popular activities for environmental recreationists in Antwerp are walking (59%), visiting a restaurant or café (58%), shopping (42.3%), visiting a museum, exhibition, attraction or monumental church (7.9%).

Local recreationists to Antwerp good for 82.5 million turnover

On average, an environmental holiday maker spends 24.27 euros during his trip: 14.04 euros goes to a restaurant and café, 4.02 euros for shopping, 3.47 euros for access, 1.11 euros for food and drink and 1.63 euros for other cases. 

Here too, expenditure in Antwerp is slightly higher than in the Flemish Art Cities and Brussels in general. More is mainly spent on restaurant and café visits and on entrance fees to museums, attractions and places of interest.

On tourism

• ANTWERP | 2 million day tourists and 337K overnight stays in the summer of 2022.
• Belgians travelled massively in the first quarter of 2022.
• The Major Flaws of domestic tourism in Belgium.
• Discovering Belgium and the Netherlands in COVID times.
• Will COVID-19 be the End of Business Class?.
• The world of travel and planning after coronavirus COVID-19.
• Balancing travel enthusiasm and the reality of the coronavirus crisis.
• Skam or being shamed for going outside.
• FLANDERS | Castles of the Scheldt.