No more staycations, 90 percent of Belgians are travelling abroad this summer
After two years of corona, the virus no longer keeps Belgians hostage for the summer. In fact, 90 percent are planning to go on holiday this year. Only 18 percent of Belgians are still concerned about the corona virus when booking a trip. That is half compared to last year.
Belgians are once again travelling abroad after a two-year break. Holidays in the sun remain the most popular, followed by city trips. According to the Belgian travel assistance company Touring, only 11 percent of Belgians have not yet booked their trip, compared to 23 percent before the corona crisis.
In addition, trips further away like the United States and Turkey gain more and more popularity. Almost 40 percent of Belgians who go on holiday by plane indicate that they have no other transportation planned to reach their destination. The car remains the preferred mode of transport for Belgians travelling: almost seven in ten travel by car due to the flexibility and speed. The train is also used just as often as before the corona crisis to go on holiday.
Holiday Budget
Now that corona is no longer stopping us from travelling abroad, the price of travel is causing restraint. Affordability appears to be the most important matter when choosing a destination. Forty percent of Belgians say high fuel prices have affected their plans while a total of ten percent will skip the summer holiday this year because of their scarce budget.
(AS)
© Belga Photo Ina Fassbender