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Industry under pressurePrice frustration! German tourists are turning their backs on a popular holiday destination
It's not just the beach on the Dutch North Sea island of Ameland that is a popular holiday destination for many Germans (archive image)
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The Germans are giving the Netherlands a wide berth!
Up to 20 (!) percent fewer guests from Germany – this is a real setback for many holiday parks in the Netherlands. Regions near the border are particularly feeling the decline. There is one main reason why so many holidaymakers suddenly drop out.
Prices are rising – vacations are becoming less attractive
According to the industry association Hiswa-Recron, bookings from Germany have clearly declined in the past three months. In some regions the decline is even as high as 20 percent. Been doing this for years actually More and more Germans are vacationing in the Netherlands: In 2024 alone, our neighboring country counted around 7.3 million tourist arrivals from Germany, reports WDR, which was more than ever before.
According to the Dutch daily newspaper AD, a central reason for this is quickly found: since January 1st, a significantly higher VAT rate has applied to overnight stays. Instead of 9 percent, 21 percent is now due. This applies to hotels, holiday homes and bungalows alike. Many operators pass on these costs directly. For holidaymakers this means: a weekend suddenly becomes noticeably more expensive.
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Netherlands too expensive for Germans?
As the Dutch newspaper AD reports, many municipalities are also increasing tourist taxes. On average, travelers now pay around 2.79 euros per person per night. In cities like Amsterdam it can even be really expensive – there the costs are around 18 euros per day. The result: even short trips cost a lot of money.
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The German guests who are still coming adjust their behavior. They stay for shorter periods of time and travel more often at cheaper periods. This is a clear warning signal for the industry. Because rising costs don’t just affect accommodation. Restaurants, shops and leisure activities are also suffering from the decline. There is growing concern that the Netherlands has simply become too expensive for many German holidaymakers. (lha)
