Belgians book winter sun holidays earlier than ever, TUI reports 25% surge

TUI Belgium has recorded a 25% increase in winter holiday bookings since mid-August, as more Belgians adopt the habit of securing their next trip right after summer. September—traditionally the top month for winter bookings—is expected to be particularly strong.

Key drivers

• Limited availability at popular hotels and destinations.
• Early booking discounts, especially during Christmas and Carnival school holidays.
• Cheaper low-season travel, benefiting seniors and couples outside peak dates.

Trends

• Families value certainty, booking early to secure the best hotels, flights, and sunshine.
• Seniors and couples prefer low-season deals, often in highly rated hotels.
• Budget is decisive: Spain remains the top winter destination (2 in 3 travellers), Tunisia is the fastest-growing (+15%), and Egypt shows a 13% rise. Cape Verde, Senegal, and Gambia are gaining traction as affordable, sunny alternatives.

Spending

• Average winter holiday budget: €1,537 in November, rising to €2,007 at Christmas.
• Travellers are spending an average of €81 more than they did last year.
• Four-star all-inclusive remains the preferred choice, with packages starting at €599.

Top 5 most booked winter hotels

1. Rixos Sharm El Sheikh Adults Only – Egypt
2. Riu Costa del Sol – Spain
3. H10 Conquistador – Tenerife, Spain
4. Bull Eugenia Victoria & Spa – Gran Canaria, Spain
5. Sindbad Club – Hurghada, Egypt