Holidays

Over 85 percent of people in the Netherlands go on holiday. Nearly two-thirds of them take a trip abroad. Almost 49 percent travel to foreign destinations by plane, while around 44 percent go by car. How often do people from other European countries go on holiday, and do they stay in their own country or do they spend it abroad? How often do they travel by air?

Over 62 percent of Europeans (223 million) go on holiday, with half of them spending the holiday abroad. In total, these are more than 118 million holidays. People living in smaller countries relatively often travel abroad for their holidays, while those living in larger EU countries are more likely to stay in their own country. In France and Spain, for example, nine in every ten holidaymakers stay in their own country. Dutch holidaymakers going abroad prefer spending their long holiday (four or more nights) in Spain or Germany. Their favourite destinations for a short break (one to three nights) are Germany and Belgium.

Taking the plane abroad

For holidays abroad, nearly 49 percent of Dutch tourists take an airplane to reach their destination. Almost 44 percent travel by car, while the remaining 7 percent take other means of transportation such as a bus, train or boat.

Island residents are relatively likely to take a plane to a foreign holiday destination: over 98 percent of people in Cyprus, and 92 percent of holidaymakers in Malta. For people from Ireland as well, a trip abroad is more likely by air (88 percent). The inhabitants of Slovenia are least likely to fly abroad for leisure. Slightly over 8 percent of their foreign holidays are by air.

Swedish spending the most

On average, Swedish holidaymakers abroad spend the most, namely close to 1,500 euros per person, followed by Danish tourists with over 1,300 euros. Dutch holidaymakers spend 830 euros per person, less than the EU average of 857 euros. Slovenians spend the lowest amount at around 270 euros.

Source

Eurostat – Tourism