Almost all Dutch sticking to EU destinations this May due to global unrest, high prices
The geopolitical situation and the consequences thereof are throwing a spanner in the works of the Dutch people’s May holiday plans. High fuel prices and canceled flights due to kerosene costs are forcing people to not go far. Almost all holiday makers (94 percent) are staying in Europe this year. About 40 percent are even sticking to the Netherlands, NOS reported based on the ANWB Vacation Monitor.
59 percent of Dutch people are going on holiday in the coming weeks. That is about the same as last year. The global unrest has therefore not deterred residents of the Netherlands from going on holiday, just prompted them to stick closer to home. Due to rising prices, Dutch travelers are also opting for shorter holidays and are cutting back on food and drinks. This is particularly affecting families with children.
In previous years, Spain was the second most popular destination for Dutch residents during the April and May holidays, after the Netherlands itself. This year, Germany has taken that spot. France and Belgium also remain firm favorites for Dutch tourists.
As demand for European destinations increases, long-haul travel is losing its appeal. The United States, in particular, is a much less popular destination this year. Six in ten travelers indicated that they are less inclined to visit the country due to the political situation.
Destinations in South America and Asia are also less popular this year. In Asia, Thailand is the most popular destination, followed by China and Vietnam.
The ANWB also noted that artificial intelligence (AI) is stamping its mark on the tourism industry. Over a quarter of Dutch tourists said they used AI tools to help plan their holiday, double compared to last year.
