The Dutch want to go on holiday and they book cruises and skiing holidays en masse

The summer vacation is still unclear and doubtful for many Dutch people. Fall is a different story and cruises are more popular than ever. The winter sports weeks of 2021/2022 are already booked as well. Travel organizations as Sunweb are noticing that the booking rate for winter 2021/2022 is already as high as it normally is at the end of April.

As soon as the Dutch & Belgians are allowed to travel again, it will mainly be close to home and in Europe. The countries around the Mediterranean Sea remain popular destinations. It is expected that the Dutch and Belgian traveller will avoid crowds in big cities and will look for smaller cities, lesser-known regions, and nature.

The destination the Dutch will choose is strongly dependent on what the authorities in Europe allow. Another important question is if the Dutch are welcome at their chosen destination. Brussels wants to align the corona measures within the EU members as much as possible. If that’s the case we don’t have to worry about our favorite destinations in the Netherlands and Europe, but how about the UK?

Will a vaccination certificate become a requirement to fly?

Some airlines have indicated that a vaccination certificate might become a necessity for flying. Frank Oostdam, CEO of ANVR has indicated that he would be surprised if a vaccination requirement becomes the standard for European countries. He thinks it will harm the industry because it excludes those against vaccinating and those who haven’t got a chance to get vaccinated yet. Oostdam therefore expects countries to opt for a combination of vaccinating and rapid tests.

Travelers who have not been vaccinated (yet) will have to take regular rapid tests into account. The chairman of the Dutch Travel Industry Organization (ANVR) expects that most Dutch and Belgians will not object to these restrictions as “the hunger for travel is huge”.

ANVR and GFK research:
Dutch want to go on holiday

On behalf of ANVR, research agency GFK conducted a random research among the Dutch population and asked about their travel plans for summer. It will come as no surprise that the research shows that travellers book their holiday destination closer to home and go on holiday safely and responsibly.

84% of the respondents say they will definitely go on holiday this coming summer if it is allowed and possible. 33% will travel to the destination by car, whereas 13% are planning to take the plane to predominantly European destinations. 8% of respondents choose a holiday.

_{Sources
https://www.travelpro.nl/onderzoek-anvr-en-gfk-nederland-wil-massaal-op-vakantie/
https://www.ad.nl/reizen/als-we-straks-op-vakantie-kunnen-zal-het-vooral-dichtbij-zijn~a4c45a08/
https://www.ad.nl/reizen/nederlander-boekt-massaal-vooral-cruises-en-wintersport-in-trek~a60f73b4/}