Interest in cycling and walking holidays is growing. For recreation entrepreneurs, accommodation providers, and destination marketing organizations, it is particularly relevant that many guests wish to undertake tours from a single fixed accommodation location. This makes routes, packages, hospitality, and local partnerships more important in the recreational revenue model.
Active holidays are gaining ground
More and more Dutch people are considering a cycling or walking holiday. Research by Trends & Tourism shows that 23% of the Dutch are likely or certain to take a cycling holiday in the next three years. That amounts to approximately 3,3 million Dutch people.
For walking holidays, the share stands at 26%, or approximately 3,8 million Dutch people. Compared to research from 2019, interest in cycling holidays has grown particularly: from 18% to 23%.
For the leisure sector, this is no longer a niche, but a market segment that aligns with nature experiences, dispersion, short holidays, and season extension.
Permanent residence as a commercial opportunity
An important signal for overnight recreation is that many cyclists and walkers want to start their tours from a single fixed holiday location. This makes campsites, holiday parks, hotels, B&Bs, and group accommodations logical bases.
For entrepreneurs, there is an opportunity here to sell more than just an overnight stay. Consider packages including route advice, bicycle rental, e-bike charging, packed lunches, luggage service, wellness facilities, a drying room, repair services, or collaboration with local hospitality businesses.
The guest seeks nature and the outdoors, but also wants convenience. Entrepreneurs who organize this well can translate an active holiday into higher guest satisfaction and increased spending.
Routes are no longer an afterthought.
For cycling holidays, beautiful surroundings and attractive routes are decisive. Guests want to discover places they wouldn't otherwise easily visit. This also includes side activities such as visiting towns, enjoying outdoor cafes, dining out, and visiting local markets.
For DMOs and municipalities, this means that route infrastructure directly impacts economic value. A good cycling or walking network is not only a basic recreational amenity but also a driver for hospitality, retail, regional products, and accommodation.
The challenge lies in connecting routes with entrepreneurs. A route without bookable products, rest stops, or good information yields less than a route that is part of a complete regional offering.
Walking and cycling help spread the seasons
Cycling and walking holidays are less dependent on the traditional summer holiday than beach or swimming holidays. This makes this market interesting for the shoulder seasons.
For holiday parks, campsites, and hotels, active tourism can help boost occupancy outside peak periods. Especially in regions with nature, villages, cultural history, and hospitality, there is room for midweek stays, short breaks, and thematic packages.
This also offers opportunities for day recreation and the hospitality industry. Walkers and cyclists often combine their activity with outdoor cafes, lunch, local markets, or a visit to charming towns. This generates spending outside the accommodation.
Gelderland, Limburg and Drenthe strongly positioned
Dutch people looking to take a cycling or walking holiday in their own country find Gelderland, Limburg, and Drenthe the most attractive. These provinces benefit from a combination of nature, routes, varied terrain, villages, hospitality, and accommodation options.
There is a clear lesson here for other regions. Nature alone or routes alone are not enough. Commercial power emerges when accommodation, route quality, hospitality, experience, and promotion align well.
Abroad, Germany is considered the most attractive destination for cycling holidays. For walking holidays, Austria ranks highest, followed by Switzerland, the Ardennes, Germany, and Norway. Dutch regions therefore compete not only with each other but also with strong foreign outdoor destinations.
Practical significance for entrepreneurs and DMOs
For recreation entrepreneurs, the growing interest in cycling and walking holidays is particularly interesting as a reason to refine their offerings. Which routes start at or near the business? Which facilities are still missing? Which local partners can add value?
For DMOs, the challenge lies in product development. Not only promoting that a region is beautiful, but linking routes to accommodation, hospitality, transport, rentals, regional products, and bookable packages.
The market calls for collaboration between accommodation recreation, the hospitality industry, bicycle rental companies, nature organizations, municipalities, and regional marketing. Those who serve the active guest well not only increase the attractiveness of the destination but also the economic return of routes and nature experiences.
More information
Source and more information: Trends & Tourism