2024-01-04 19:50:00
The year 2023 which has just ended has been a good year for the tourism sector. After a great recovery in 2022, we broke records last year. The summer saw destinations return to, or even exceed, their 2019 figures (a year of all records at the time), and Belgian tour operators announced records. In Wallonia and Brussels, the change in the school calendar also benefited tourism professionals. With two weeks at Carnival and All Saints’ Day, many people have been tempted by a week in the sun, far from Belgium.
Travel: these alternative destinations will be popular in 2024
We have sometimes reached increases in reservations of 20 to 25% compared to the best years, and certain destinations have regained their pre-Covid success. We think in particular of Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia, while the Greek and Spanish islands continued to be full of tourists. The question today is whether Belgians will go on vacation in 2024, but where? While the most popular destinations will still attract many tourists, many will try to escape the hustle and bustle of the most touristy areas. Here are our top 5 destinations to discover in 2024.
1. The Balkans are finding their place in the sun, with Albania in the lead
Aerial view of Prespa National Park near Korçë, home to some Balkan lynx, in southeastern Albania
©AFP
The trend is starting to emerge, but it will become even more pronounced in the months and years to come: Albania is a new fashionable destination. If the offer for all-in destinations remains extremely limited (you should rather bet on Bulgaria), the country has breathtaking natural landscapes and historical sites of great interest. If the country has long suffered the scars of the war which marked the countries of the former Yugoslavia, peace has long since returned. It is the ideal destination to seek out nature, the mountains, but also the sea. It is also an alternative to Croatia, which is much more touristy.
2. The Nordic countries, to avoid the heat of summer
The Danish city of Billund is the headquarters of Legoland. ©BELGAIMAGE
We are also talking about a trend that is starting to emerge, this time in the face of global warming. Faced with repeated heatwaves in southern Europe and fires which have affected Greece but also the Spanish islands, Belgians are looking for destinations where the air is more breathable. Sweden, Denmark and even Norway will attract tourists who will change their vacation goals. This summer, TUI was already pointing out this trend. “Since the health crisis, TUI, the country’s leading tour operator, has clearly noted a renewed interest in green, quiet destinations, far from the crowds. Denmark, until recently a little-known destination, responds perfectly to this demand and offers an interesting alternative to southern temperatures. This summer, TUI is also recording a strong increase in reservations for Denmark. Easily accessible by car, Billund, the tourist “capital” and home of LEGOLAND® Park, further reinforces this success.”
Brussels Airport taxi drivers on strike Friday: they are protesting against the Dutch exam imposed by Flanders!
3. Senegal, between heavenly beach and natural treasures
Heavenly beaches, but also rich territories. ©Laif / REPORTERS
Distant destinations are also returning to a booking rate worthy of before 2020. Although the recovery has been slower, tourists are returning to most countries which were already popular. We think of the United States, Canada, Thailand or even Bali or South Africa. Japan is also increasingly popular, particularly for everything related to the manga universe. We don’t forget the Caribbean either, with the Dominican Republic in the lead. Faced with these well-known destinations, Senegal has a great card to play, offering both high-quality all-in or luxury hotels, but also territories which have 8 sites and treasures classified by Unesco.
4. The British Isles forget Brexit
Le lac du Loch Ness en Écosse. © (c) 2023 Sylvia Hekelaar/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
In recent years, Scotland has become an ideal destination for tourists looking for wide open spaces and history, while avoiding long hours of flying to the USA or Canada. If the weather is not always good, the beauty of the landscapes and the local culture quickly make you forget the rain. So much so that certain areas should be avoided in summer, such as the Isle of Skye. Several islands offer great alternatives, such as the Isle of Mull. A little further, Ireland also has a good card to play.
5. In France too, we can be surprised
In France, you can still find lost places, but you have to prepare. ©LECLERCQ Olivier / hemis.fr
It is THE destination for Belgians, summer and winter, and it will still be the number 1 destination in Belgium next summer. But the country is large enough to offer alternatives to the most popular regions. During Covid, mountainous destinations have attracted many tourists looking for wide open spaces and nature. We can place the Vosges, Auvergne and even Ardèche in the same category. In more touristy areas, there is also a way to avoid crowds. Forget the famous Calanques of Marseille and opt instead for the Côte Bleue, for example. Very close and much less touristy, it offers similar landscapes. Another tip: visit the Lérins islands rather than Porquerolles, or avoid the Arcachon basin to go towards Soulac-sur-Mer.
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