Tourism board Westtoer revealed on Sunday that the country’s North Sea resorts logged about 620,000 overnight stays during the week-long February school holiday, down from 850,000 a year earlier. Average hotel occupancy barely topped 40 %, with peaks of 65 % on the Carnival weekend, compared with peaks of 80 % in 2025. (brusselstimes.com)
Industry groups blame stormy weather and tightened household budgets after January’s VAT hike on accommodation pre-announcements. International arrivals fell to 16 % of the total, led by the Netherlands, France and Germany, while domestic Flemish travellers still made up nearly two-thirds of bookings. (brusselstimes.com)
![Belgian coast records 25 % drop in February-holiday overnight stays, worrying hoteliers]()
For overseas visitors still considering a trip to Belgium despite the weaker figures, VisaHQ can simplify one key hurdle: entry paperwork. The service’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) outlines visa rules by nationality, offers step-by-step online applications and can even arrange courier collection of documents, allowing travelers to secure permits quickly and shift their focus back to finding good coastal deals before VAT rises bite.
Hoteliers warn that the slump is ill-timed: from 1 March the VAT rate on accommodation will rise from 6 % to 12 %. Many properties fear they will have to absorb part of the tax increase to remain competitive, squeezing margins further. Regional authorities are considering emergency marketing campaigns and discounted rail bundles to revive demand ahead of the Easter break. (brusselstimes.com)
Corporate travel planners with project teams on the coast should check hotel availability carefully; several properties plan partial winter closures or consolidation of staff to reduce costs until spring. Westtoer insists the coast “remains a stable destination” but admits that weather-dependent tourism will need new year-round attractions to keep beds full. (brusselstimes.com)
Industry groups blame stormy weather and tightened household budgets after January’s VAT hike on accommodation pre-announcements. International arrivals fell to 16 % of the total, led by the Netherlands, France and Germany, while domestic Flemish travellers still made up nearly two-thirds of bookings. (brusselstimes.com)
For overseas visitors still considering a trip to Belgium despite the weaker figures, VisaHQ can simplify one key hurdle: entry paperwork. The service’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) outlines visa rules by nationality, offers step-by-step online applications and can even arrange courier collection of documents, allowing travelers to secure permits quickly and shift their focus back to finding good coastal deals before VAT rises bite.
Hoteliers warn that the slump is ill-timed: from 1 March the VAT rate on accommodation will rise from 6 % to 12 %. Many properties fear they will have to absorb part of the tax increase to remain competitive, squeezing margins further. Regional authorities are considering emergency marketing campaigns and discounted rail bundles to revive demand ahead of the Easter break. (brusselstimes.com)
Corporate travel planners with project teams on the coast should check hotel availability carefully; several properties plan partial winter closures or consolidation of staff to reduce costs until spring. Westtoer insists the coast “remains a stable destination” but admits that weather-dependent tourism will need new year-round attractions to keep beds full. (brusselstimes.com)
