This is the second year where the school calendars for Flemish and French-speaking schools no longer coincide. And the habit is already established: French-speaking families favour the first week of vacation during which Flemish schoolchildren are not yet off. After Spain, the eternal head of the ranking, Tunisia takes 2nd place with almost 20% of reservations. As for getaways, city trips are experiencing strong growth.
Belgians’ desire to travel is clearly expressed in TUI’s booking figures for the upcoming autumn holidays. The leader in organised travel in Belgium is recording 46% more reservations for its French-speaking travellers compared to the 2022 holiday.
The autumn holidays for French-speaking families last 2 weeks and start a week earlier than those for Flemish people. And they clearly chose the first week, which was more advantageous. No less than 64% of them will take the plane while Flemish schoolchildren are still in school. The remaining third opted for the 2nd week which has a public holiday (November 1st).
The destinations chosen by the French-speaking public offer a guarantee of sunshine and pleasant temperatures. Spain, as always at the top of the ranking, accounts for more than a third of reservations. One destination particularly stands out this year, Tunisia which occupies 2nd place, accounting for almost 20% of reservations. Its hotel infrastructure with unbeatable value for money has won over many vacationers. Being able to speak French is also an element that appeals to French-speaking travellers.
Greece and its islands (Rhodes, Kos and Crete) are still part of the summer offer during the first week, but at a low season price. It is therefore not surprising that Greece is in 6th place in the ranking of favourite destinations. The extension of the summer season for the island of Rhodes until mid-November clearly responds to market demand.
The two weeks of vacation also allow French speakers to more comfortably consider a distant trip for which the length of stay is generally 10 days. Cape Verde, Mexico and the Dominican Republic thus slipped into the top 10.
When it comes to getaways, city trips win the prize and more French speakers this year are opting to discover a city. Rome, London and Barcelona, the top 3, recorded very good growth.
On the budget side, French-speaking TUI vacationers spend on average 1,208 euros for a vacation by plane, 173 euros for a nearby getaway by car, 216 euros for a vacation by car and 508 euros for a city trip.
Top 10 vacations by plane (countries): Spain, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Greece, Cape Verde, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Cyprus.
Top 5 vacations by plane (regions): Tenerife, Djerba, Tunisian continent, Turkish Riviera and Lanzarote.
Top 5 nearby getaways by car: France, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Top 5 driving holidays: France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Austria.
Top 5 city trips: Rome, London, Barcelona, Paris and Lisbon.
[…] French-speaking community now has an extra week of autumn holidays for the second time and they mainly choose the first, slightly cheaper week as their departure period. As a result, the number of bookings from French-speaking Belgians has […]
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