Tourism dip seems to be over the worst

In May, June and July 2003, tourists spent a total 28.6 million nights in overnight accommodation in the Netherlands. This is 1.7 percent fewer than in the same period in 2002. The number of guests decreased at the same rate and totalled 7.8 million.

The three-monthly development shows a clear dip for last spring. Although there is no sign of growth in the last months, some recovery is visible.

Guests and number of nights, per three-month period

Fewer Germans, more Belgians

Visitors spent 1.7 million fewer nights in the Netherlands in the first seven months of 2003. This is 3.6 percent down on the same period last year. The decrease is mainly caused by fewer nights spent here by foreign visitors. Germans in particular, but also guests from America and Asia spent fewer nights in the Netherlands. The Belgians were an exception: they spent more nights in Dutch accommodation than last year.

Nights spent in the Netherlands

The fall in the number of tourist-nights differed between the provinces. The number of nights fell relatively strongly in accommodations in South Holland and Utrecht, while in Zeeland, Overijssel/Flevoland and Groningen it increased. Tourists spent just over 600 more nights in Zeeland, an increase of 16 percent.

Nights spent in overnight accommodation by province

Vincent van Polanen Petel