Belgians take shorter and cheaper trips, mostly inside Europe

Travel assistance and insurance company Europ Assistance surveyed 3,150 Europeans (Belgians, British, French, Germans, Italians, Spanish, and Austrians), to learn more about their holiday plans.

57% of Belgians will go on vacation during the summer months. Last year, this was significantly less with only 47%. However, the average holiday budget has decreased by 202 euros to €2,375 per family.

The fact that more Belgians are travelling also impacts the duration of the vacation. On the one hand, the number of Belgians taking a break abroad for longer than three weeks has plummeted to only 20%. In 2014, this was still 27%. On the other hand, 31% of Belgians will go for one week (26% in 2014), and 48% will go for two weeks (45% in 2014).

Almost eight out of ten Belgians choose a European destination. The top three consists of France (30%), Spain (12%), and Italy (10%). Another tenth of Belgians choose to spend their vacation somewhere in their own country.

With so many inter-Europe travellers, it’s no surprise that the car is the most popular means of transportation with 53%. The airplane is on number two with 43%. Then, surprisingly, 18% of Belgians is open to carpooling to their holiday destination as an alternative way of getting there.

Finally, Europ Assistance paints a picture of the average Belgian holiday-maker. “He books his holiday in advance over the internet, choosing a two-week stay at a European destination he gets to by car or by plane. He goes there looking for peace and quiet, the sun, and preferably the beach."