The Netherlands is likely to receive around sixteen million tourists from abroad this year. This is almost 80% of the total for 2019, the last year before the crown crisis. This was reported by the tourist agency NBTC. The number of Dutch people going on holiday to their country is likely 10% higher this year than before the pandemic.
Holiday traffic came to a complete halt in spring 2020 due to the corona outbreak. Since then, the industry has recovered quite well. However, foreign tourism will not return to its previous level this year. At the same time, more and more Dutch people have decided to take a holiday in their own country in recent years. This trend appears to be continuing this year.
NBTC director Jos Vranken takes into account that inflation will dampen the urge to travel this year. Due to the high costs of energy and shopping, for example, there is less money left to go on vacation.
“These concerns could have a negative impact on the long-term travel industry. If the situation worsens further, it is not inconceivable that this could dampen tourism in 2022 as well.”
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