In 2024, Belgian rooms and apartments rented via platforms such as Booking.com and popular tourism villain Airbnb attracted more guests than ever before. During the peak month of August 2024, over 52,000 accommodations were rented out daily.
Tag: Croatia
Back-on-Track.eu criticises lack of EU action as ÖBB cuts into Nightjet order
On 11 July 2025, Back-on-Track.eu, a European network advocating for night trains, voiced serious concern following the announcement by the Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB, the European Union‘s largest night train operator, that it will reduce its order with Siemens Mobility for new Nightjet trains from 33 to 24 units.
RAINBOW EUROPE MAP AND INDEX 2025 | United Kingdom, Hungary and Georgia drop dramatically on LGBTQIA+ rights ranking
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has dropped six places on this year‘s ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map and Rainbow Index, as Hungary and the Republic of Georgia also register steep falls following anti-LGBTI legislation. The data highlights how rollbacks on LGBTI human rights are part of a broader erosion of democratic protections across…
France, Spain, USA, China and Italy most visited countries in the world, Belgium 41st
France, Spain, the United States of America, the People’s Republic of China and Italy are the most visited countries in the world. Belgium ranks 41st, the Netherlands 20th. Not only the 193 member states of the United Nations are counted, but also other top level domains such as Hong Kong (17th).
OVERTOURISM | Alternatives for Venice, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Santorini, Paris, Dubrovnik, London and Rome?
Overtourism was an issue in 2024 and still is in 2025. An increasing number of cities, grappling with the less appealing aspects of mass tourism, are implementing measures to curb the influx of visitors. One strategy is not to go to these hotspots, but to find alternatives. And if we all do that, those alternatives…
Star Alliance enhances intermodal connectivity with Austria’s ÖBB
Continuing its commitment to enhanced global connectivity, Star Alliance, together with 25 member airlines, welcomed ÖBB as its newest intermodal partner. This partnership allows customers of ÖBB and Star Alliance member airlines to seamlessly begin or conclude their long-distance journey on ÖBB’s eco-friendly RailJet trains, connecting from or to Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck in…
Belgians book Asia, vintage travel and boutique hotels for spring and summer 2025
Overtourism? Inflation? Worrying world events? What are those? According to the Association of Flemish Travel Agencies or Vereniging Vlaamse Reisbureaus (VVR) Belgians have already booked more holidays in 2025 compared to the same period last year.
There’s more than one way to enjoy a cruise
July 2024. Steve and I are cruising on the Norwegian Getaway, a Breakaway class ship by Norwegian Cruise Line or NCL. Interestingly, our stay on board happened shortly after the Getaway paid a visit to the dry dock for some refurbishments. The route? Piraeus, which is the port of Athens in Greece; followed by Mykonos;…
Back On Track Belgium not surprised inaugural European Sleeper from Brussels to Venice didn’t reach Italy
European Sleeper inaugurated its night train service from Brussels in Belgium to Venice in Italy, via the Netherlands, Germany and Austria, in the night from Wednesday 5 February to Thursday 6 February 2025. But the sleeper train never made it passed Innsbruck. “And this is unfortunately not a surprise”, Back On Track Belgium says in…
Rhodes
July 2024. Steve and I are cruising on the Norwegian Getaway, a Breakaway class ship by Norwegian Cruise Line or NCL. Interestingly, our stay on board happened shortly after the Getaway paid a visit to the dry dock for some refurbishments. The route? Piraeus, which is the port of Athens in Greece; followed by Mykonos;…