The Belgian and his vacation plans

Green light for motorhome and caravan trips

The news has fallen, we can indeed enjoy a few vacations this summer.
Indeed, as the Government has announced, trips by caravan or motorhome to Belgium will be authorized from June 8. And the fact that the Belgian needs a vacation after this particular, stressful and difficult period is beyond doubt.

But what will a holiday away from home look like?
In collaboration with the IVOX research office, the BCCMA, the Belgian Caravan-Camping and Motorhome Association conducted a national survey of the Belgian population to determine how they plan to travel in a post-corona era.
Half of Belgian travelers saw their summer plans change due to the coronavirus.
Before the coronavirus crisis arrived, 90% of Belgians who sometimes go on a trip had planned to go on vacation during the summer months (June-September).
Half of them have already had their summer plans modified due to the influence of the coronavirus.
2 in 5 people are not yet clear if their vacation will go as planned.
Only 18% of respondents indicate that their vacation plans have not changed.
Among Belgian respondents who have already had to adapt their vacation plans, 74% state that they had to completely cancel one or more vacation stays.
26% say they are now traveling differently, have shortened the travel period, are traveling with another group, or have chosen a different destination. A large majority of Belgian travelers consider it difficult to travel normally if you have to respect the rules of distance and hygiene.
8 out of 10 respondents therefore think that we must adapt our way of traveling after the coronavirus crisis. And 59% of respondents say they have become more aware of the impact that their way of traveling can have because of the coronavirus crisis.

The caravan and motorhome, an alternative of choice!
Belgians who are still planning to travel this summer will also have to change their means of transport.
Many of them will opt for the car much more often.
75% of respondents consider air transport with accommodation on site as the least safe option.
One in two respondents considers a caravan or motorhome the safest choice among the means of travel.
Like Marc Van Ranst, 66% of Belgian travelers consider the caravan or motorhome as a solution for traveling safely after the coronavirus crisis.
Since caution is advised, why not opt ​​for a holiday in a motorhome or caravan, a way to be safe everywhere, like at home.

In addition, the benefits of this type of vacation are manifold.
In addition to being safer, vacations in a caravan or motorhome are synonymous with freedom.
Indeed, travelers are free to go where they want (in Belgium for now), to stop and change the initial route if they wish, all without having to change accommodation, and being all the time at home.
Whatever the chosen destination, the motorhome or caravan are real rolling houses.
That’s why, today, they are proving to be safe ways to travel.
Take your own accommodation everywhere but also limit contact with people outside the travel group.
As one would rent or buy a vacation home, the principle is the same for the caravan or motorhome.
An investment that pays off quickly for aficionados of this type of travel or a practical rental for those who would like to try the experience.
Traveling abroad is a deterrent 73% of Belgians surveyed planned to travel abroad before the coronavirus crisis. Today, the borders are still closed, but like other European countries, they are likely to reopen on June 15.
And even if this holiday promises to be special, it is also an opportunity to explore new destinations, aboard a motorhome or caravan, which are closer but just as exciting.
Belgians remain cautious about their travel destination.
Even though a large majority of Belgians expect to be able to travel abroad again, only 48% of respondents say they plan to travel abroad this summer.
The main reasons for the cancellation of holiday plans abroad are due to the fact that respondents think that it will not be allowed by law, to the reluctance to risk being infected abroad, to fear to be stranded abroad if a new wave of coronavirus breaks out, and for fear that many tourist attractions may not be accessible due to coronavirus-related measures.
More than half of those questioned are more in favor of going on vacation to Belgium due to the coronavirus crisis. After all, 7 out of 10 respondents think that a vacation in their own country can certainly be as fun as a vacation abroad.
Although 6 out of 10 people questioned the fact that beautiful Belgian housing will be scarce due to the high demand due to the coronavirus.
45% of respondents going on vacation to Belgium this summer say they will go to the coast.
40% plan (also) to go to the Ardennes.
23% indicate that they will visit the countryside or a natural environment and 21% say that they will make a city trip through Belgium.
Holidays in a motorhome or caravan across Belgium therefore prove to be a great alternative for many Belgians. Although the Belgian coast and the Ardennes are the most popular, we should also remember that our country is home to many places that are worth discovering.

Belgium is full of historical treasures, cultural heritage and even breathtaking natural places.
Without forgetting its gastronomic specialties which delight our taste buds and those of many tourists.
Many reasons to go with the motorhome or caravan.
And remember, today more than ever, the Belgian tourism sector needs us!

Online survey carried out by the research office iVOX on behalf of the BCCMA between 05/18/2020 and 05/22/2020 among 1000 Belgians who sometimes go on vacation, representative of the language, gender, language age and diploma.
The maximum margin of error for 1,000 Belgians is 3.02%.