Extended Ascension Weekend Sparks ..Sharp Drop.. in Blankenberge Day Tourists – Here’s Why

Extended Ascension Weekend Triggers Sharp Drop in Blankenberge Tourists

Tourism at the Belgian coast saw a 19 percent drop in day visitors during the extended Ascension weekend despite sunny weather and popular events like Blankenberge’s Havenfeesten.

Marie Dupont1 June 2025Last Update : 2 days ago

Verlengd hemelvaartweekend lokt bijna een vijfde minder dagtoeristen naar de kust, maar daar is logische verklaring voor (Blankenberge)

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The tourism sector along the Belgian coast experienced a noticeable dip during the extended Ascension weekend, according to Westtoer’s latest figures released on 2025-06-01 12:06:00. Despite the usual influx of visitors, the number of day trippers dropped by 19 percent compared to last year, raising questions about the factors behind this decline.

6 Key Takeaways

Westtoer reports 19% fewer day tourists
Coastal overnight stays drop 14% from 2024
Hotels reach 80% average occupancy rate
Weather and holiday timing affect bookings
Blankenberge hosts popular Havenfeesten event
Coastal sunshine exceeds inland by 2.7 hours

While coastal towns like Blankenberge and Oostende still attracted crowds with popular events such as the Havenfeesten and Fashion Fair, overall tourist overnight stays fell by 14 percent. Hotel bookings also saw a 12 percent decrease, with occupancy rates averaging 80 percent, though peak nights reached 90 percent.

So, what caused fewer Belgians and tourists to head to the coast this year? And can the coastal tourism sector expect a rebound soon? Let’s explore these Trends and their implications.

Fast Answer: The Belgian coast saw fewer tourists during the 2025 Ascension weekend, with a 19% drop in day visitors and 14% fewer overnight stays, influenced by weather and holiday calendar shifts affecting local tourism demand.

Several factors contributed to the decline in coastal tourism this Ascension weekend. Was the weather really less inviting, or did holiday timing play a bigger role? Both seem significant:

The end of the May holiday for Walloons coincided with last year’s weekend, boosting longer stays that didn’t repeat in 2025.
Despite more sunshine hours at the coast than inland, the weather was less favourable than early forecasts suggested, reducing last-minute bookings.
The drop in second-home visitors also impacted overall numbers, as fewer people travelled to their seaside properties.
Events like Blankenberge’s Havenfeesten and Oostende’s Fashion Fair still attracted visitors, showing local attractions remain strong draws.

Understanding these shifts is vital for Belgian coastal towns aiming to adapt their tourism strategies and maintain visitor appeal throughout the year.

Looking ahead, can coastal destinations leverage better weather forecasts and event planning to attract more visitors? With strategic marketing and improved visitor experiences, the Belgian coast can bounce back and continue to be a top choice for holidaymakers seeking sun and sea.