Flanders, the northern region of Belgium, has successfully attracted the same number of overnight tourists in 2022 as it did before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to recent data released \
by Statistics Flanders. With a total of 10.6 million overnight stays, Flanders remains the most popular region in the country.
The figures indicate a significant increase in multi-day visits to Flanders compared to 2021, with over 50% more tourists choosing to explore the Flemish Region (+54%). Furthermore, the total number of overnight stays is now only 1% higher than the figures recorded in 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. In comparison, the Walloon Region received 3.9 million visitors, while the Brussels-Capital Region welcomed 3.2 million tourists.
A majority of the overnight tourists originated from their own country (57%) or neighboring countries (31%). Notably, over 1.6 million visitors came from the Netherlands in 2022. However, it is worth mentioning that business tourism accounted for only 20% of the total visitors, falling short of pre-pandemic levels.
The main attractions in Flanders were the five major art cities, the coastal region, and holiday parks in the Kempen area. The combined cities of Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Leuven, and Mechelen registered nearly 3.6 million visitors, with Antwerp leading the pack at 1.3 million sightseers. Bruges followed closely with 1.1 million visitors, while Ghent welcomed 800,000 tourists.
The coastal region also proved to be a popular destination, with 2.3 million tourists enjoying the seaside, accounting for 21% of the total visitors. The remaining areas of Flanders received 45% of the tourists, showcasing the diverse attractions and appeal of the region.