Modest recovery for tourism

The number of nights tourists spent in the Netherlands was 2.4 percent higher in the first half of 2002 than in the same period last year, at 34.2 million. This is a modest recovery after the decrease in 2001.

The increase was largest in the province of Flevoland, which doubled the number of nights spent there last year, regaining the level of two years ago. The recovery in the number of nights spent in accommodation in South Holland, too, showed a remarkable 12.4 percent increase.

Tourist nights spent in each province

Dutch holidaying in own country push up figures

In the first quarter of 2002, the number of nights tourists spent in the Netherlands was still lower than twelve months previously. The recovery was mainly in the second quarter. This picture of decrease followed by recovery was mainly determined by Dutch people holidaying in the Netherlands.

Nights spent here by foreign tourists showed an increase in both quarters. While there was a clear increase in the number of German tourists, Americans spent fewer nights in the Netherlands, continuing the downward trend that started in the second half of 2002.

Nights spent by Dutch and foreign tourists

Camp sites, holiday homes and group accommodation

Hotels accounted for 13.8 million of the 34.2 million nights tourists spent in the Netherlands, camp sites holiday parks and group accommodation for 20.4 million nights.

With an increase of 2.1 percent, growth was slower for hotels than for other forms of accommodation (2.5 percent).

Vincent van Polanen Petel