Holidays became more expensive and travellers became more erratic

The Dutch are more erratic than ever in their holiday habits this year. They're often booking their holidays just before they arrive, and preferring the May or autumn holidays over the summer holidays. This is due to the higher prices, but other factors also play a role.

This is evident from the Zoover Holiday Monitor, which analyses booking data and travel patterns of hundreds of thousands of Dutch holidaymakers.

Holidays became more expensive again this year. The average travel price per person rose by 3.9 percent and per booking by 3.2 percent. The average last-minute travel price even rose by 5 percent.

To keep these prices down, people are making different choices. They're choosing different accommodations, such as apartments instead of hotels, or vacationing outside the traditional peak season. Another trend is that instead of the whole family, just one parent and one child are vacationing.

The Dutch booked 45 percent more May and autumn holidays this year than in 2024. Turkey is the most popular destination, followed by Spain and Greece. Summer holidays, however, are less popular. The number of bookings decreased compared to last year.

The fact that fewer people are traveling abroad during the summer holidays has its advantages. There were fewer complaints about overbookings, and even during peak periods, hotels, apartments, campsites, and other resorts weren't overcrowded.

According to Zoover, the Dutch are showing "an unusual and erratic pattern" this year. While travel organizations normally see clear booking peaks and established favorite destinations, demand fluctuated from day to day this year.

Last-minute booking is also a trend, according to the travel organization. While the Dutch used to book their summer trip months in advance, they now often pack their bags at the last minute and book a few days or weeks before departure. The travel industry organization ANVR has already observed that the Dutch are booking their holidays later than usual this year. A travel agency also reported a record number of last-minute bookings .

One of the reasons Dutch people delay booking their vacations is that they want to know what the situation is like at their destination. Extreme weather and news about climate disasters influenced their decision more than ever. Travelers avoided countries experiencing forest fires, floods, or heat waves. France and Spain, in particular, experienced this.

As soon as safety or the holiday experience is at stake, the Dutch are more likely to opt for an alternative. "Destinations aren't chosen months in advance, but often at the last minute. The weather dictates," says Zoover's commercial director Reinoud Koot.

You'd love to make the most of your vacation and come home as relaxed as possible. What's the best way to do that?