Flights that may not take place, corona rearing its head again and a caravan, boat or camper purchased not so long ago ‘in front of the door’. All the ingredients are there to spend the holiday in your own country again. The summer of 2022 may go down in the books as the best year ever for tourism in the Netherlands.
That is what HISWA-RECRON, the trade association for campsites, holiday parks and boat-loving Netherlands, states on the basis of what has already been reserved. “People opt for security,” says director Geert Dijks of the trade association. “There are also problems at airports in other European countries, so we can take advantage of that.”
Based on the bookings made so far at the campsites, parks and marinas, HISWA-RECRON thinks that this summer will be even better than that of 2019. “That was the peak year so far, but that will now be surpassed if there are no whole crazy things happen anymore.”
Natuurhuisje.nl, with almost twenty thousand holiday homes, of which about a third are in the Netherlands, sees that the number of last minute bookings is taking off. “A lot is now being booked for a holiday within a period of six weeks, especially for a stay in the Netherlands,” says Dick Vulto of the platform.
People choose eggs for their money
“People have waited and are now choosing eggs for their money, it seems. They do not want to stand in line at Schiphol. Holidays in their own country became popular during the pandemic and many people also liked that,” says Vulto.
Dijks of HISWA-RECRON points out that the sale of motorhomes, caravans and boats has also broken all records during the corona crisis. “That was the case all over Europe and whoever has a caravan, motorhome or boat will use it.” Dijks therefore expects that many holidaymakers from neighboring countries will be able to find the Netherlands this summer.
“The number of Germans who have booked a house in the Netherlands has quadrupled,” says Vulto of Natuurhuisje.nl. That in itself is not a huge achievement. “Because,” explains Vulto, “they were very hesitant to cross the border, that was completely on his ass last year.”