Midweek visit to Texel more expensive than flying to Greece for a week, locals complain
Netherlands residents are increasingly unhappy about the price of vacationing in their own country. A Facebook post complaining that a mid-week break on Texel is much more expensive than a week in Greece got hundreds of reactions. And a quick price comparison shows that this is not an exaggeration, NH Nieuws reported.
The broadcaster searched for comparable cottages for four people for eight days in September. That would cost 1,800 euros on Texel, and 1,200 euros on Crete, with the flight to Greece included.
But according to Goof Lukken, a tourism expert at the Breda University of Applied Sciences, the two are difficult to compare. “On Texel, demand far exceeds supply compared to mass tourism on Crete, for example. Texel has reached its limit in terms of tourism and also wants to remain exclusive. Tour operators buy sun holidays in bulk and can offer them cheaply. Moreover, staff costs are much lower on Crete.”
Rosalie Lap of the Texel Tourist Information Office pointed out that prices are rising everywhere in the Nehterlands, and Texel providers are opting more for luxury accommodations to meet the changing demand. According to Lap, tourists are increasingly choosing luxury cottages. “Business owners are keeping up with the times. I completely understand the discussion about this push towards more expensive locations, but Texel is no exception.”
She added that Texel is still accessible for many Dutch and accommodations are almost always fully booked. “Texel truly has suitable accommodations for every budget. The selection is extensive and the quality has risen considerably to meet the demands of today’s tourists.”
Holidays in the Netherlands may cost even more next year. The tax on overnight stays in hotels and holiday homes will rise from 9 to 21 percent. That is definitely a concern, tourism expert Lukken told the broadcaster. “Holidays here in the Netherlands are still within reach. If they become much more expensive, more and more people will be able to go on holiday less, or perhaps not at all. The tourism sector is hard at work pressing the government to stop the increase.”
