Tourism in Flanders hits record high with nearly 15 million visitors

Flanders attracted nearly 15 million tourists in 2024, marking a 3 per cent increase from the previous year, according to figures from Visit Flanders. The rise was largely driven by international visitors, whose numbers grew by nearly 5 per cent.

Coastal areas, where domestic tourists make up the majority, remained popular (+2 per cent). Meanwhile, historic cities such as Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent saw two-thirds of their visitors come from abroad. 

Overnight stays in Flanders also saw a slight increase, reaching 35.6 million. Tourists stayed an average of 2.4 nights. The Netherlands, France, and Germany remained the top source countries, while the number of American visitors rose by 11 per cent. Chinese tourism is also rebounding: arrivals were up by over 50 per cent (though it was still below pre-pandemic levels).

Museums and attractions also performed well, welcoming nearly 24 million visitors. Attractions such as theme parks, zoos, and nature reserves accounted for 41 per cent of visits, while museums drew 6.5 million visitors. 

Accessibility

Flemish Tourism minister Melissa Depraetere emphasised the importance of tourism for the region’s economy and praised Flanders’ mix of cultural heritage, gastronomy, and hospitality. 

She also reaffirmed her commitment to expanding the Everyone Deserves a Holiday (Iedereen Verdient Vakantie) initiative, which seeks to ensure that tourism remains accessible to all income groups. Currently, around one million Flemings cannot afford a holiday. Depraetere pledged further investment in budget-friendly travel initiatives.

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