Despite the bad weather in the Netherlands, a quarter of all holidaymakers still have to book a summer holiday. There will also be far fewer Dutch people going on holiday abroad this summer. This emerged from large-scale research* that NBTC-NIPO Research carried out in mid-April into the holiday plans of the Dutch population.
In total, about two-thirds of the Dutch population will go on summer vacation this year, which is about 10,5 million Dutch people. The number of Dutch people with summer holiday plans has therefore decreased by approximately 300.000 compared to last year (-3%). About 7,7 million Dutch people are going abroad this summer and 2,5 million Dutch people are celebrating summer holidays in their own country. About 400.000 Dutch people have not yet made a choice for a domestic or foreign holiday.
France, Spain and Italy most popular foreign destinations
Most summer vacation plans involve a holiday abroad. About 7,7 million Dutch people are planning to go abroad next summer. This is almost 200.000 less than last year (-2%). Of the foreign destinations, France (1,4 million), Spain (900.000) and Italy (800.000) are the most popular. Italy (+ 100.000), the Czech Republic (+ 50.000) and Austria (+ 40.000) show the most growth. The largest decrease is for long-distance holidays (-150.000).
About 2,5 million Dutch people want to spend the summer holidays in their own country; that is 175.000 less than the year before (-7%).
The group that does not yet know where the journey is going has increased: about 400.000 Dutch people have not yet made a choice for a domestic or foreign holiday.
A quarter of holidaymakers still have to book/reservation
Almost 60% of all summer plans for a domestic or foreign holiday have already been recorded in a booking at the beginning of April. A quarter of holidaymakers have yet to book and 15% go on spec. Compared to last year, holidaymakers who arrange their summer holidays in advance book slightly more often directly with the accommodation. The number of bookings through a travel agency/tour operator is expected to drop by about 6%.
*NBTC-NIPO Research has conducted research into the holiday plans of more than 7.300 Dutch people (representative sample). This concerned holidays of a week or longer in the coming summer period (May to September).