The Dutchman mainly needs a foreign beach holiday this summer and corona plays a role in booking behaviour, but a third of the Dutch still expect to book a trip abroad in the coming months. This is apparent from a representative survey that GfK conducted last month on behalf of the travel umbrella organization ANVR among about 1100 Dutch people to ask about their booking behavior and the intention of travelling.
The travel industry has largely been at a standstill for about 15 months, and long-distance travel is still at a standstill. 60% of the Dutch did not book a trip abroad last year. And half of the travelers indicate that they will not book any or fewer trips for this year. Still, 32% think that if more becomes clear, 25% if the destination is safe and 19% if they have been vaccinated, they still have the intention to go abroad.
"With an increasing vaccination coverage and a Europe that has practically turned yellow since last week, the travel world still has a lot of bookings waiting and this year can still be a beautiful summer, both for the holiday maker and the business traveler. Nevertheless, we are making a turnover, which is 60-70% far below normal, which is why we continue to draw attention - and especially financial support - to a large category of independent travel agents who are currently excluded from all financial regulations and to the travel organizations that offer long-haul trips. still quiet!"
The most favorite means of holiday transport remains the plane (46%) although own transport (43%) is gaining in popularity. Before corona, the plane was by far the most popular transport abroad (57%, car 32%), but last year it already lost something (52%) at the expense of the car (36%) and this year there will be another one. scoop on top (airplane 46%, car 43%). We stay closer to home and want to be flexible. This is also reflected in what the Dutchman arranges within his booked holiday: 38% has only booked a stay, while this was previously lower (in 2020: 27%, in 2019: 24%).
The GfK research shows that corona influences the type of holiday; with 42%, summer beach holidays are far above city trips (12%), sports holidays (10%) and, for example, round trips (8%). Corona also affects the destination; while 26% simply choose the destination of their choice, 20% choose a destination closer to the Netherlands and 31% choose a location in the Netherlands.
The method of booking: directly, through a travel agency, travel agency or comparison site and also the channel used (web, mail, etc.) has not changed much in recent years. Of course, the research shows that less has been booked through the travel agency in 2021, but that is obvious because all travel agencies have been closed for a long time.
Now that Europe is turning yellow and, hopefully, the rest of the world will soon become increasingly accessible, travelers must, despite the so-called corona passport, take into account the various measures that may differ per country. The GfK survey shows that the Dutch are not so guided by this. With a quarantine obligation (84%), limited opening of tourist attractions and restaurants (68%) or a curfew (56%) a destination is not an option for many. But more than 70% see no real objection to traveling with a travel certificate, negative test or vaccination certificate, according to the ANVR.
Also read: As of today corona stamp in yellow vaccination booklet