The Flemish Coast recorded 11,2 million overnight stays in various types of accommodation over the past two months. In addition, 6,1 million day visitors were counted. Both figures are the highest numbers since the
corona period.
Record summer
July was already a record month for the Coast with 5,6 million overnight stays. The same number of overnight stays, 5,6 million, is estimated for August. A total estimated figure of 11,2 million overnight stays is a very strong figure for the entire holiday period. This figure is almost 10% higher compared to the Flemish summer holidays of 2025 and is the highest figure since the coronavirus period. These are overnight stays registered in all types of accommodation; including hotels, campsites, B&Bs, holiday homes, holiday parks, holiday lodging, and in
second homes.
Flemings account for approximately 6,7 million overnight stays (60%), French-speaking Belgians for 2,6 million (23%), and foreign holidaymakers stayed at the Coast almost 1,9 million (17%) times this summer. The share of these three groups has remained virtually the same in recent years.
High hotel occupancy
With an average occupancy of 75%, the occupancy of coastal hotels was slightly higher than during July-August 2025. This occupancy is the average for the entire coast. At the start, occupancy was limited, but from July 10 onwards, occupancy increased. During the period from July 11 up to and including the weekend of August 23, there was a high occupancy rate in the hotels both during the week and on weekends. Foreign guests represent 30% of hotel overnight stays, with German guests being the most numerous.
Our group, BCCH (Belgian Coast & City Hotels), represents 10 hotels on the Coast with a total of 852 rooms. We recorded an average occupancy of 79% across all our coastal hotels. Last summer once again confirmed the strong appeal of our coast as a holiday destination. The beautiful weather provided the coastal hotels with a strong and stable season, with high occupancy rates on both weekdays and weekends. In addition, events also generate extra overnight stays. The David Guetta concert in Zeebrugge, for example, resulted in extra reservations months in advance, extending far beyond Zeebrugge.
It is striking that there were no major differences for our hotels between the West, Central, and East Coasts: the entire coastal region performed excellently. Moreover, we see that foreign guests continue to find our coast, with a particularly large number of tourists from Germany.
Chavalie De Lodder, CEO of BCCH
The camping sector also looks back very satisfied on the past summer holiday.
We look back on a wonderful summer, with a virtually constant occupancy rate of 95%. Here too, among the foreign guests, the proportion of German holidaymakers stands out.
Charlotte Deseins from Camping Chalets Koksijde
Pleasant hustle and bustle, but no peak days
In addition to the number of overnight stays, the number of day tourists is also measured using mobile phone data. In July, 2,9 million people made a day trip to the coast. In August, the Coast could count on a total estimated number of 3,2 million day tourists. This total number is 10% higher than in 2025 and is also the highest since the coronavirus period. Thanks to the persistently beautiful summer weather, day tourists spread out over the entire holiday period, preventing pronounced peak days.
There was a busier period around the weekend of July 21, but on average, there were also more day and overnight tourists present on the Coast during weekdays compared to previous years. With both the highest number of overnight stays and the highest number of day tourists ever recorded via mobile phone data, this summer holiday was a resounding success for the Coast.
Bicycles are very popular
In addition to the excellent visitor boost generated by the many events and exhibitions, the great interest in the revamped cycling offerings was also striking. The new junction maps, local themed routes, and the interactive cycling route Expeditie Testerep were particularly popular with families and recreational cyclists. More than 10.000 free maps have already been distributed to the latter.
Autumn forecast
As an extension of summer, September is traditionally also a very strong month for coastal tourism. But the autumn is already looking promising with a strong autumn program. Outside of the summer months, there is also a strong focus on an attractive calendar of fixed and changing offerings. The Coast is increasingly becoming a four-season destination. For instance, the various coastal municipalities are organizing numerous crowd-pullers such as
including Iron Man in Knokke-Heist, Tastoe, Champagne aan Zee and the relocation of the Superprestige cyclocross to the autumn in Middelkerke, the anniversary celebration of the NAVIGO Fisheries Museum on Saturday, September 19 in Oostduinkerke, Month of the Shrimp in Nieuwpoort and the Crime Festival in De Haan.
More information: www.dekust.be