Travel And Tourism in Belgium
Euromonitor International's Travel And Tourism in Belgium report offers a comprehensive guide to the market at a national level. It looks at travel accommodation, transportation, car rental, tourist attractions and retail travel. It identifies the leading companies and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market, including background information on disposable income, annual leave and holiday taking habits.
Buy online to access strategic market analysis and an interactive statistical database of market size data for travel accommodation, transportation, car rental, travel retail, tourism attractions and health and wellness tourism, tourism inflows and outflows, tourism spending and company and brand shares.
Tables: 100 | Publication date: Oct 2009
Why buy this report
- Get insight into trends in market performance
- Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change
- Identify market and brand leaders and understand the competitive environment
Product coverage
Car rental; Demand factors; Health & wellness tourism; Tourism flows domestic; Tourism flows inbound; Tourism flows outbound; Tourism receipts and expenditure; Tourist attractions; Transportation; Travel accommodation; Travel retail
Executive summary
A higher number of Belgians seek the sun
Despite the economic uncertainties in 2008, Belgians travelled abroad in record numbers. Outbound holidays increased compared with 2007. The poor summer weather of recent years encouraged Belgians to continue to seek out a warmer climate for their holidays. Popular destinations remained traditional, such as France, Spain and Italy, but increasingly attractive were Turkey and Egypt.
The continued development of transportation
As a result of the record numbers of Belgians travelling, transportation showed healthy growth in 2008. In particular, the low cost carrier segment continued to expand, with new destinations appearing on Belgian schedules throughout 2008. Flights to and from Romania and Bulgaria were added, capitalising on these new entrants to the EU. Train travel grew slightly as a whole, but faster journey times for key international routes led to strong growth in travel to and from London and Paris.
Business tourism is strong, but faces competition
Business tourism continues to be a key market for Belgium, and approximately one third of inbound visitors to Belgium came for business purposes in 2008. The business arrivals market experienced positive growth in 2008. Belgium, and in particular Brussels, has a strong tradition of business tourism. Its key position in the centre of Europe makes it convenient for many companies to meet there, and it is the location for the headquarters of many international organisations, as well as the administrative centre for the EU. However, it is now facing increasing competition from other European cities, which are becoming equally accessible and offering lower prices.
Travel agents still play a crucial role
Travel retailers had a record year in 2008, with the value of bookings up by 4%. The majority of Belgians still rely on travel agents for booking and organising their holidays. Whilst the market is becoming more sophisticated, with increasing numbers of online bookings, using a travel agent is still the most popular choice for arranging travel. The two main players in this market, TUI Travel Centre and Thomas Cook, are both striving to be market leader, and this encourages competitive pricing and innovation in terms of the packages offered. All-inclusive packages were very popular amongst Belgians in 2008, enabling holidaymakers to budget successfully in the current economic uncertainty.
Political divisions cloud future plans
The continued political divisions within Belgium do nothing to enhance its international credentials. Within the country, business continued as usual, even though the country went without a government for 196 days in 2007, and the Prime Minister tried to resign in 2008 after only four months in office. However, these divisions clouded the worldwide promotion of Belgium, as the separate federal entities which promote only their own regions do not have a strong recognised international presence. It is difficult to predict what will happen in Belgian politics in the future, but it is clear that international tourism faces an uphill struggle.
Table of contents
TRAVEL AND TOURISM IN BELGIUM : MARKET INSIGHT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A higher number of Belgians seek the sun
The continued development of transportation
Business tourism is strong, but faces competition
Travel agents still play a crucial role
Political divisions cloud future plans
KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS
Economic Indicators
Legislative Environment – The Schengen Agreement
Legislative Environment – Limosa
Government tourism policy
Sustainable Tourism
Consumer Lifestyles
Low Cost Carriers
Emerging Niche Sectors
Internet Developments
TERRORISM AND SECURITY
LEAVE ENTITLEMENT
CONSUMER DEMOGRAPHICS
BALANCE OF PAYMENTS
MARKET INDICATORS
Table 1 Leave Entitlement: Volume 2005-2008
Table 2 Holiday Demographic Trends 2003-2008
Table 3 Holiday Takers by Sex 2003-2008
Table 4 Holiday Takers by Age 2003-2008
Table 5 Length of Domestic Trips: 2003-2008
Table 6 Length of Outbound Departure: 2003-2008
Table 7 Seasonality of Trips 2005-2008
MARKET DATA
Table 8 Balance of Tourism Payments: Value 2003-2008
DEFINITIONS
Tourism parameters
Travel accommodation
Transportation
Car rental
Travel retail
Tourist attractions
Health and wellness
Internet sales
Internet sales: dynamic packaging
Internet sales: traditional package holiday
Summary 1 Research Sources
LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - BELGIUM
ABELAG GROUP - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 2 Abelag Group: Key Facts
Summary 3 Abelag Group: Operational Indicators
COMPANY BACKGROUND
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
BRUSSELS AIRLINES SA - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 4 Brussels Airlines SA: Key Facts
Summary 5 Brussels Airlines SA: Operational Indicators
COMPANY BACKGROUND
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 6 Brussels Airlines SA: Competitive Position 2008
SNCB: SOCIETE NATIONALE DES CHEMINS DE FER BELGES - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 7 SNCB: Key Facts
Summary 8 SNCB: Operational Indicators
COMPANY BACKGROUND
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
VLM AIRLINES BELGIUM NV - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - BELGIUM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 9 VLM Airlines Belgium NV: Key Facts
Summary 10 VLM Airlines Belgium NV : Operational Indicators
COMPANY BACKGROUND
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
TOURISM FLOWS INBOUND IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
INBOUND DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE
MODE OF TRANSPORT
PURPOSE OF VISIT
CITY ARRIVALS
INCOMING TOURIST RECEIPTS BY COUNTRY
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 9 Arrivals by city in Belgium 2007/2008
Table 10 Arrivals by Country of Origin: 2003-2008
Table 11 Leisure Arrivals by Type 2005-2008
Table 12 Business Arrivals: MICE Penetration 2005-2008
Table 13 Arrivals by Method of Transport: 2003-2008
Table 14 Arrivals by Purpose of Visit: 2003-2008
Table 15 Incoming Tourist Receipts by Country: Value 2003-2008
Table 16 Tourism Expenditure by Sector: Value 2003-2008
Table 17 Method of Payments for Incoming Tourist Receipts: % Breakdown 2005-2008
Table 18 Forecast Arrivals by Country of Origin: 2008-2013
Table 19 Forecast Arrivals by Method of Transport: 2008-2013
Table 20 Forecast Arrivals by Purpose of Visit: 2008-2013
Table 21 Forecast Incoming Tourist Receipts by Country: Value 2008-2013
TOURISM FLOWS OUTBOUND IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
DESTINATIONS
OUTBOUND DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE
MODE OF TRANSPORT
PURPOSE OF VISIT
OUTGOING TOURIST EXPENDITURE BY COUNTRY
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 22 Departures by Destination: 2003-2008
Table 23 Leisure Departures by Type 2005-2008
Table 24 Business Departures: MICE Penetration % Breakdown 2005-2008
Table 25 Departures by Method of Transport: 2003-2008
Table 26 Departures by Purpose of Visit: 2003-2008
Table 27 Outgoing Tourist Expenditure by Country: Value 2003-2008
Table 28 Outgoing Tourist Expenditure by Sector: Value 2003-2008
Table 29 Method of Payments for Outgoing Tourism Spending: % Breakdown 2005-2008
Table 30 Forecast Departures by Destination: 2008-2013
Table 31 Forecast Departures by Method of Transport: 2008-2013
Table 32 Forecast Departures by Purpose of Visit: 2008-2013
Table 33 Forecast Outgoing Tourist Expenditure by Country: Value 2008-2013
TOURISM FLOWS DOMESTIC IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
DESTINATIONS
MODE OF TRANSPORT
PURPOSE OF VISIT
DOMESTIC TOURIST EXPENDITURE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 34 Domestic Trips by Destination: 2003-2008
Table 35 Domestic Trips by Purpose of Visit and by Method of Transport: 2003-2008
Table 36 Domestic Tourist Expenditure: Value: 2003-2008
Table 37 Method of Payments for Domestic Tourism Spending: % Breakdown 2005-2008
Table 38 Forecast Domestic Trips by Purpose of Visit and by Method of Transport: 2008-2013
Table 39 Forecast Domestic Tourist Expenditure: Value: 2008-2013
TRAVEL ACCOMMODATION IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
HOTELS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 40 Hotel Performance in Belgium 2007/2008
Table 41 Travel Accommodation Sales by Sector: Value 2003-2008
Table 42 Travel Accommodation Outlets by Sector: Units 2003-2008
Table 43 Travel Accommodation by Sector: Number of Rooms 2003-2008
Table 44 Regional Hotel Parameters 2008
Table 45 Travel Accommodation Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2003-2008
Table 46 Hotel National Brand Owners by Market Share 2004-2008
Table 47 Hotels National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2008
Table 48 Forecast Travel Accommodation Sales by Sector: Value 2008-2013
Table 49 Forecast Travel Accommodation Outlets by Sector: Units 2008-2013
Table 50 Forecast Travel Accommodation Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2008-2013
TRANSPORTATION IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
AIRLINES
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 51 Transportation Sales by Sector: Value 2003-2008
Table 52 Airline Capacity: 2003-2008
Table 53 Airline Utilisation: 2003-2008
Table 54 Airline Passengers Carried by Distance: % Breakdown: 2003-2008
Table 55 Transportation Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2003-2008
Table 56 Airline Market Shares 2004-2008
Table 57 Airlines National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2008
Table 58 Forecast Transportation Sales by Sector: Value 2008-2013
Table 59 Forecast Transportation Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2008-2013
CAR RENTAL IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 60 Car Rental Sales by Sector and Location: Value 2003-2008
Table 61 Structure of Car Rental Market: 2003-2008
Table 62 Average Car Rental Duration by Sector 2004-2008
Table 63 Average Car Rental Duration: % Breakdown 2004-2008
Table 64 Time of Booking: % Breakdown 2005-2008
Table 65 Car Rental Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2003-2008
Table 66 Car Rental Market Shares 2004-2008
Table 67 Car Rental National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2008
Table 68 Forecast Car Rental Sales by Sector and Location: Value 2008-2013
Table 69 Forecast Car Rental Sales by Sector: Internet Transaction Value 2008-2013
TRAVEL RETAIL IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
GROWTH SECTORS
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 70 Travel Retail Outlets by Sector: Units 2003-2008
Table 71 Travel Retail Products Sales: Value 2003-2008
Table 72 Travel Retail Sales by Destination: % Value Breakdown 2003-2008
Table 73 Travel Retail Online Sales by Sector: Internet Transaction Value 2003-2008
Table 74 Travel Retail Products Market Shares 2004-2008
Table 75 Travel Retail Products National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2008
Table 76 Forecast Travel Retail Outlets by Sector: Units 2008-2013
Table 77 Forecast Travel Retail Products Sales: Value 2008-2013
Table 78 Forecast Travel Retail Online Sales by Sector: Internet Transaction Value 2008-2013
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 79 Tourist Attractions Sales by Sector: Value 2003-2008
Table 80 Tourist Attractions Visitors by Sector: 2003-2008
Table 81 Tourist Attractions Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2003-2008
Table 82 Leading Tourist Attractions by Visitors 2003-2008
Table 83 Forecast Tourist Attractions Sales by Sector: Value 2008-2013
Table 84 Forecast Tourist Attractions Visitors by Sector: 2008-2013
Table 85 Forecast Tourist Attractions Sales: Internet Transaction Value 2008-2013
HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOURISM IN BELGIUM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 86 Number of Hotel/Resort Spas: Units 2003-2008
Table 87 Health & Wellness Tourism Sales by Type: Value 2003-2008
Table 88 Spa Consumer Markets: Domestic Tourism 2005-2008
Table 89 Spa Consumer Markets: Arrivals 2005-2008
Table 90 Forecast Health & Wellness Tourism Sales by Type: Value 2008-2013