Experience

BELGIUM TRAVEL STATS | France, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany most popular destinations in 2024

Posted by Timothy on

Triggered by a press release by Germany Travel, aka the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), aka Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus (DZT), let’s have a look at the most recent available travel statistics from travellers living in Belgium.

Belgian residents travelled more, farther and for longer in 2024, confirming a sustained rebound and structural growth in travel behaviour, according to figures from Statbel, part of the Federal Public Service for the Economy. 

The year marked a new record, with around 23.7 million trips involving at least one overnight stay. While the increase compared with 2023 was modest, the rise in total overnight stays was far more pronounced, reaching approximately 181.4 million. 

This pushed the average trip length up to 7.7 days, compared with just over seven days the year before. Belgian travellers therefore not only travelled frequently, but also spent longer periods away from home.

Foreign travel dominates, with Germany among the strongest performers

Foreign travel remained dominant in 2024. France continued to lead by a wide margin as the most popular destination, followed by Spain, which strengthened its position thanks to strong growth in longer holidays. 

The Netherlands slipped slightly, while Italy maintained its appeal, particularly for extended stays. Italy was the fourth most popular destination.

Germany stood out as one of the most consistent performers. With just over one million trips in 2024, Germany ranked among the top foreign destinations for Belgian residents. Unlike many southern destinations, Germany showed a balanced profile, combining a high volume of short trips with a substantial number of longer stays. This underlines its dual role as both a convenient nearby destination for short breaks and a country that increasingly attracts Belgians for longer holidays.

Domestic tourism also remained significant, with close to six million trips within Belgium, largely concentrated in short stays. Together, domestic and foreign travel patterns point to a diversified travel landscape in which proximity, comfort and variety play an increasingly important role.

Strong momentum continues into 2025

Early figures for 2025 suggest that high travel volumes are continuing. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, Belgian residents made more than 8.3 million trips in Belgium or abroad. 

Around 70% of these journeys were to foreign destinations, mainly within the European Union, and more than nine out of ten trips were undertaken for personal reasons such as holidays, leisure or visits to family and friends. 

From 2025 onwards, Statbel has shifted to monthly data collection, improving precision, especially for short trips, although this change limits direct comparability with earlier years. Germany continues to feature prominently in the 2025 data, confirming its structural importance as a destination for Belgian travellers.

Flags of Italy and Germany.

‘Surprising Germany’ taps into changing travel preferences

These trends form the backdrop to the launch of the ‘Surprising Germany‘ campaign by the German National Tourist Board. As Belgian holidaymakers increasingly seek cooler temperatures, more space and new experiences in northern destinations, Germany is benefiting from this shift and has secured a strong position among the most popular holiday destinations for Belgians, not only for city breaks but also for longer stays. 

The campaign positions Germany in Belgium as a destination that is both close by and remarkably diverse.

Germany is often associated with well-known cities such as Berlin, Cologne and Munich, but the ‘Surprising Germany’ campaign highlights a much broader offer. 

Idyllic vineyards, fairy-tale castles, creative hotspots, expansive natural parks and lively festivals illustrate the country’s regional diversity and its appeal beyond the classic city trip. An interactive photo quiz installed in Belgian railway stations underlined this message: only one in four participants was able to correctly identify a German landscape, demonstrating how much of the country remains unfamiliar to many Belgians.

Cities, regions and rail connectivity reinforce Germany’s position

Recent figures show that Germany holds a solid position among the favourite European holiday destinations for Belgian residents, with travellers from Flanders accounting for the largest share, followed by visitors from Brussels and Wallonia. 

A notable shift can be seen from short city breaks towards longer, multi-day holidays, often taken by families, groups of friends or multiple generations travelling together.

German cities continue to attract Belgian visitors in large numbers. Berlin remains the most visited, followed by Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf, each offering a distinct mix of culture, heritage, urban life and green spaces. 

At the same time, Germany’s excellent rail network, accessible natural areas and wide range of events strengthen its appeal as a destination for travellers seeking variety without long-distance travel.

“Germany is increasingly being discovered by Belgians as a surprising alternative to the classic summer holiday”, says Lisa Berendsen, Director Belgium and 

Luxembourg at the German National Tourist Board. “Not only its proximity, but above all its diversity and tranquillity make the country attractive to a broad audience.”

Germany consolidates its role in Belgian travel patterns

By linking the strong growth in Belgian travel with a clear shift towards nearby, versatile destinations, the Statbel figures and the ‘Surprising Germany’ campaign together illustrate how Germany is consolidating its position as a key destination for Belgian residents in both 2024 and 2025.

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