Schiphol plays a major role for Haarlemmermeer. Peter Hein van Mulligen, chief economist at CBS: “It leaves a very heavy mark on the region. As a result, Haarlemmermeer was often one of the fastest growing regions. But now that there are no more tourists, the region notices that immediately.”
The economy of Amsterdam has been affected by the effect of corona on tourism, but also by the closure of the catering and cultural sector. These sectors have a large share in the economy there.
In particular, the absence of foreign tourists makes the economy in regions dependent on tourism. Van Mulligen: “The number of foreign hotel stays is only 10 percent from before corona. That is really decimated.” More domestic tourism cannot make up for that difference. “The Dutch spend less. For example, they more often choose a camping or holiday home than a hotel stay.”
Eindhoven region has grown the most
According to Van Mulligen, certain regions are doing well because certain industries have a large share of the economy there. “The industry is doing well and you can see that in the regional figures, such as in the Eindhoven region with a lot of high-tech industry.”
This region grew the fastest, five percent compared to the second quarter of 2019. The regions of Delfzijl and IJmond also performed well due to the presence of industry.
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