Disappointing summer for Belgian theme parks

Belgian theme parks had a lackluster summer due to the changeable weather, with a very rainy July and a particularly hot August having an impact on attendance.

A spokesperson for Walibi said the weather clearly set the tone: “July got off to a very slow start, as did the weather. August was a very good month, with attendance up slightly from last year.”

The Boudewijn Seapark in Bruges saw 10% fewer visitors than last year in July. August attendance, on the other hand, remained stable compared with 2023.

The same can be said of Bellewaerde in Ypres, where August saved the summer and brought the total visitor numbers up to similar levels as last year.

Mini-Europe said visitor numbers were down 9% in July and down 5% in August compared with summer 2023. The theme park attributes the drop to fewer foreign tourists, who normally account for about 80% of visitors.

Pairi Daiza, in contrast, said it “attracted a lot of visitors”, although it did not offer figures. The occupancy rate for its 121 on-site accommodation units over the two summer months was 98%.

Just three parks – Bobbejaanland, Plopsa in De Panne and Plopsa Coo – reported an increase in visitor numbers compared with last summer. Plopsa is reporting a 7% increase at De Panne and a 12% rise at its park in the Ardennes.