Dutch people increasingly eager to travel: number of holidays increased by 2017% in 3
Last year the number vacations grew by 3% to a total of 36,7 million holidays. More than half of the number of holidays that the Dutch took took place abroad (19,1 million), according to this NBTC-NIPO Research.
Compared to 2016, the number of foreign holidays increased by 7%. The number of domestic holidays remained the same at 17,6 million holidays. Spending on holidays increased by 8% compared to 2016. In 2017, the Dutch collectively spent 16,8 billion euros on holidays, both at home and abroad.
More Dutch people on holiday more often
More than 13 million Dutch people (82% of the population) went on holiday one or more times in 2017. Compared to 2016, this means a considerable increase (almost a quarter of a million more). The Dutch who went on holiday also did this slightly more often than a year ago. A total of 36,7 million holidays were taken at home or abroad; an increase of 3% compared to 2016.
Most growth in Spain and Greece
Never before have so many foreign holidays been taken by the Dutch as in 2017. As in previous years, Germany is in first place in the top ten of foreign holiday destinations. About 3,5 million holidays were spent in Germany, which is a slight decrease compared to 2016 (-2%). France, which is in second place, saw the number of holidays rise by 7%. For the number three – Spain – the number of holidays grew sharply for the fourth consecutive year (+9%). Greece, which has been less popular in recent years due to, among other things, the refugee crisis, also saw the number of holidays taken by the Dutch rise sharply (+40%). The number of holidays taken by the Dutch to Turkey fell sharply as a result of (threat of) terrorism and political unrest (-40%). Turkey is therefore outside the top 10 of the most popular destinations for the Dutch for the first time in many years.
Veluwe most visited domestic holiday region
The number of domestic holidays remained the same last holiday year at 17,6 million. There was growth for short holidays (+2%), while long holidays, on the other hand, showed a decrease (-7%). Reasons for this include the favorable economic conditions (primarily stimulating demand for foreign holidays) and the moderate summer weather of last year. The Veluwe was the most popular in our own country last year. This made the Veluwe more popular for the first time than the North Sea resorts, which for many years topped the list of popular inland holiday regions.
Total holiday spending rose sharply
In total, the Dutch spent about 2017 billion euros on holidays in 16,8, of which about 13,8 billion abroad and 3 billion in their own country. Compared to 2016, total holiday spending has grown by more than a billion euros (+8%). The growth was entirely accounted for by foreign holidays (+9%), spending on domestic holidays increased by 1%.
Positive expectations for 2018
Partly on the basis of large-scale research into the holiday intentions of the Dutch, NBTC-NIPO Research expects a further growth in the number of holidays for 2018. The strong economic growth can be seen as the most important explanation. Geopolitical tensions and (fear of) terrorist attacks may dampen the positive feeling somewhat, but consumers like to go on holiday and will choose destinations that are perceived as safe.
Top 10 foreign destinations (October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017)
1. Germany
2. France
3. Spain
4. Belgium
5. Italy
6. Austria
7. Great Britain
8. Greece
9. Portugal
10. United States