France remains the most popular holiday country for the Dutch, almost 1 in 5 long foreign summer holidays were spent in this country. In the summer of 2015, the Dutch took a long holiday abroad almost 10 million times. Destinations in Southern Europe are particularly popular. Thailand is not in the top 10, according to Statistics Netherlands' Continuous Holiday Survey.
Today the school holidays start in the Central Netherlands region and the Dutch are going on summer holidays again en masse. In the summer period of 2015, 11,7 million Dutch people traveled a total of 21,7 million times. That is an average of almost two holidays per holidaymaker. Of these, 8,6 million Dutch people went abroad for a long holiday. This concerned 9,7 million holidays; slightly more than in 2014 and considerably more than in 2005 (then 8,8 million).
As in previous years, France was the most popular summer holiday destination with 1,8 million holidays. Germany follows at some distance with 1,3 million holidays and Spain with 1,1 million holidays. Other frequently visited southern and sunny destinations are Italy, Greece and Turkey. The United States is the only non-European country in the top ten.
Top 10 summer holiday countries 2015
1 France
2 Germany
3 Spain
4 Italy
5 Greece
6 Turkey
7 Austria
8 Belgie
9 Great Britain
10 United States
The Dutch prefer to arrange holidays in advance
Most Dutch people opt for certainty for their long summer holidays. In 2015, 84 percent pre-booked accommodation, transportation to the destination, or both. In addition, 4 percent went to their own summer house or their own caravan on a permanent pitch. For 12 percent of the Dutch, they go without booking in advance. Half of them stay in the homes of family, friends or acquaintances, the other half leave on spec. The latter group is getting smaller and smaller. Ten years ago, 11 percent went on holiday on spec.
By car or plane
More than 9 out of 10 Dutch people travel by car or plane to their destination abroad for their summer holiday. More than half get into the car and 40 percent take the plane. Since 2005, the share of holidays by air has increased (from 34 to 40 percent) while the share of car holidays has fallen (from 57 to 53 percent).
Hotel and guest house more popular
Almost 4 in 10 Dutch people spent the night in a hotel, guest house or bed & breakfast during their long summer holidays abroad in 2015. This is a slight increase compared to the previous year. In addition, caravan or camper, summer house or holiday bungalow and apartment are the most common accommodations. The stay in these accommodations decreased slightly.
More than 8 billion euros
In 2015, the Dutch collectively spent more than 8 billion euros on long, foreign summer holidays, an average of 831 euros per person. This includes the costs of travel and accommodation as well as local expenses.