Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Ghent’s hotels are crowded this December, with 85% occupancy on weekends and about 3,200 rooms. Rudy De Wit expects demand to rise due to holiday events. Weekday bookings may reach 72%. The city will host Winter Festivals from December 5-31, attracting over 2 million visitors, especially from the Netherlands, France, and Germany.
Ghent’s hotels are crowded this December, especially on weekends. The city has about 3,200 hotel rooms 85 percent occupancy rate on weekends. Rudy De Wit, from the hotel industry, says this trend will likely continue, and most rooms will probably be fully booked as the holiday season gets closer. He mentioned that while some rooms are still available, many visitors are coming to enjoy the city’s holiday events and attractions.
What factors are driving hotel occupancy rates in Ghent this December?
Ghent’s hotels have a lower usage rate during weekdays, averaging around 62 percent. However, last-minute bookings are expected to raise this figure to nearly 72 percent. Rudy De Wit believes that demand will grow as December continues, with tourists and business travelers contributing to the increase. The city’s cultural attractions, festive atmosphere, and seasonal events make December a busy time for hotels in Ghent.
It has been said that people are waiting longer to book hotel rooms, leading to more last-minute reservations. Hotel prices are rising, so booking early is a better choice. The hotel industry is seeing numbers similar to 2019, before the pandemic. Ghent will have Winter Festivals from December 5 to 31, which attracted over 2 million visitors last year. The Christmas market and ice rink draw tourists, especially from the Netherlands, France, and Germany. More Spanish and British visitors are also coming, along with a growing number of tourists from the United States.
