Last minute holidays are currently being booked en masse by Dutch holidaymakers. This is evident from Park Holidays statistics. The holiday park provider sees an increase of no less than 23% in July compared to 2021. The summer holidays are in full swing and many Dutch holidaymakers are enjoying their holiday. Although many people have already booked a trip, a striking number of travelers are still looking for a last minute option. The Park Holidays website has been busy all month long.
“We see a huge influx of people who decide at the last minute to book a holiday in their own country”.
Watching cat out of the tree
Although many holidaymakers had already booked their holiday in time, a considerable group appears to have looked at the cat out of the tree. The vicissitudes around Schiphol and the still uncertain times due to the Covid-19 aftermath are the cause of this, according to Taekema. “Nobody is waiting for long lines, missed flights or lost suitcases and due to the beautiful weather of recent weeks, many holidaymakers may again opt for a holiday close by,” he says.
Taekema adds: “Most Dutch holiday parks are now overcrowded, but there are certainly still places to get hold of.” Holiday parks across the border are also being visited by Dutch holidaymakers again. In particular, the holiday parks within driving distance in Germany and Belgium welcome plenty of Dutch people again.
German tourists back in the Netherlands
Foreign tourists will also be able to find the Netherlands this summer. Germans in particular travel en masse to the tourist spots in our country. In total, about 30% to 35% of the guests at the Dutch holiday parks come from abroad. The most popular destinations in the Netherlands are Zeeland, the Wadden Islands, Limburg and the Dutch coast.
Prices slightly up
The prices for a bungalow at a holiday park in the Netherlands have increased slightly this year, approximately 1% to 3% compared to 2021. “The prices depend on supply and demand. Last year we saw a much stronger price increase, but the stretch is now gone. However, many people still want to leave their own country and there is little availability, so that drives prices up," says Taekema.
No clean holiday home biggest annoyance
Despite the popularity of the holiday parks, there are also areas for improvement. From research by Park holidays it turns out that poorly cleaned houses are number one. Bad beds and odors in the holiday home follow at an appropriate distance. Yet a striking number of holidaymakers are positive about their visit. Almost 60% give an 8 or higher as a mark.
