By using mobile data from telecom provider Proximus, Bruges was able to analyse precisely the visitors density in 2015.
7.8 million people visited the historic city of Bruges in 2015. 1,27 mlj of them were local people living in the region of the city. 5,27 mlj tourists (living further than 20 km from Bruges) were visiting the city for just one day, while 1,28 mlj were booking an overnight.

2,2 mlj hotel nights in Bruges!

The hotels and B&B's were realising 2,2 mlj hotel nights .
In average the overnight tourists were staying 1,78 nights in the city, mainly during the weekends and in July and August.

In terms of total visitors the best month was December ( 123,500 visitors) , while February was the calmest month ( 92,000 visitors) . 66% of day trippers remained between 1h to 3h in the city ; 44% stayed for a longer period.

Economical impact

Out of a research by the city of Bruges, day-trippers spent an average of 36 euros per person in Bruges, which makes a total revenue estimated at 190 million euros.
Overnight tourists spent 114 euros per night and per person. The total turnover of residential tourism in 2015 is estimated at 251 million euros. This brings the total turnover of visitors (excluding day visitors ) in 2015 at 441 million euros.

All photos © M. Willems for visit-bruges.be