Brussels tourism gradually returning to pre-corona levels

Tourism in Brussels is gradually returning to pre-corona levels this summer. Hotel occupancy rates in the month of July were only a few percent lower than in the record year 2019, according to figures released by the Brussels Hotel Association. According to Brussels tourist agency visit.brussels, the many festivals and concerts this summer are contributing to the revival.

The overall occupancy rate of hotels in the past month of July was 66,6 percent. This is 8,2 percent lower than than in July 2019, which was a record-breaking year for Brussels tourism. On weekdays, the occupancy rate last month was 63,1 percent, which is 10,7 percent less than in 2019. Especially on weekends, rooms were well-booked with an occupancy rate of 71 per cent - which is only 5,5 per cent less than in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the tourism industry.

Brussels-based music festivals Core and Couleur Cafe, but also festivals outside the capital such as Tomorrowland or Rock Werchter, are contributing to the current revival of tourism.

The upward trend "already started at the beginning of the year. Month by month, we are seeing tourism figures on the rise. Right now, we are almost back at the level of the record year 2019. There are, of course, many more events than during the corona period. Last year in July, the occupancy rate was only 20 percent", explains Jeroen Roppe of visit.brussels.

Now that restrictive sanitary measures are no longer in force, events which attract many domestic and foreign tourists are reviving. Brussels-based music festivals Core and Couleur Cafe, but also festivals outside the capital such as Tomorrowland or Rock Werchter, are contributing to the current revival of tourism.

(BRV)

© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND