Fears of kerosene shortages and Middle East war slow Dutch summer holiday bookings

Dutch people are showing reluctance to book summer flights, reportedly because of news of potential kerosene shortages and the war in the Middle East. At the same time, people reportedly continue to make reservations, the Dutch travel industry association ANVR reports.

The latest figures from the ANVR booking monitor, released in March, show a 1 percent drop in vacation bookings compared with the same period a year earlier. At that time, the war in the Middle East had already started, but the threat of kerosene shortages still appeared distant.

Travel organizations say the small decline stems from consumer caution and a preference for more secure options. They do not call it a dip in bookings overall.

ANVR Director Frank Radstake said travelers are asking more questions about disruptions. “Dutch people seem somewhat reluctant to book flying vacations. For example, because of the news surrounding the kerosene shortages,” Radstake said. “More customers inquire about what happens if things go wrong. They want certainty.”

A spokesperson for Sunweb, a popular Dutch travel company, said that Dutch consumers are saving in many areas but not on vacations, citing the company’s own data. “Dutch people are cutting back on a lot, but not on the sun,” the spokesperson said. “In a market that is heavily influenced by geopolitical unrest and rising prices, more and more Dutch people are choosing all-in-one vacations. Especially among young people, certainty is very popular.”

Corendon reports no hesitation among summer vacation bookers but confirms a clear shift in destinations. People are choosing more European options. “The Mediterranean destinations are popular. In addition, Turkey is making a comeback,” the company said. Corendon also noted an increase in bookings to the Dutch Caribbean islands.

According to the Dutch Association of Travel Agents (ANVR), more Dutch travelers are opting for European vacations amid rising tensions and military strikes in the Middle East, the organization said last month.

European destinations have seen a noticeably higher share of bookings than usual, while train travel is rising as a safer alternative to flights through the region.

Long-haul favorites such as Curaçao, Cape Verde, and Central and Latin American countries remain popular but are expected to see price increases due to concentrated demand.

Bookings to Asia have already declined, and several Middle Eastern countries, along with transit hubs like Qatar and the UAE, are losing significant tourist numbers under orange travel advisories.