The summer holidays are just around the corner, and the desire to go on holiday among the Dutch remains undiminished. Almost nine out of ten Dutch people (89%) plan to go on holiday in the coming twelve months. However, the Dutch seem to be making increasingly conscious choices. For instance, they are more often opting for holidays closer to home, road trips are gaining popularity, and interest in the late season is growing.
This is evident from the latest Holiday Sentiment Monitor by the Netherlands Bureau for Tourism & Congresses (NBTC), in which consumer holiday plans in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States were examined.
More interest in holidays in one's own country
Just over a quarter of Dutch holidaymakers (28%) will spend their next holiday in their own country. This suggests that interest in holidays in the Netherlands is increasing slightly compared to last year. Gelderland, North Holland, and Limburg are particularly popular holiday destinations.
This development is particularly visible among certain groups of Dutch people. Solo travelers and groups of friends are more often choosing a holiday in the Netherlands.
Car holidays becoming increasingly popular
Moreover, for European holidays, the Dutch are increasingly opting for the car. Currently, 43 percent indicate that they travel to their holiday destination by car, compared to 37 percent a year ago. Families, in particular, are getting in the car more often for their holidays in Europe.
When Dutch people do choose to fly, the vast majority still depart from a Dutch airport.
Weather plays an increasingly important role in holiday choices.
After a weekend of heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Netherlands, the role of weather in holiday choices is once again topical. The Holiday Sentiment Monitor shows that holidaymakers often take weather conditions into account when choosing their destination. Dutch people who indicate that weather conditions influence their holiday choice are much more likely to consider a different destination than a year ago.
At the same time, interest in the off-season is growing. Couples, in particular, are more frequently choosing a holiday outside the traditional summer peak and are increasingly looking at September as their departure month.
“For many Dutch people, holidays remain an important time to relax and gain new experiences. At the same time, we see that holidaymakers are making increasingly conscious choices about when and where they go on vacation. The off-season and destinations closer to home are becoming more attractive to a growing group of travelers,” says Yvonne Nassar, Managing Director of NBTC.
The complete Holiday Sentiment Monitor can be found here.
More information: www.nbtc.nl