Holidays on the Dutch coast: prices explode due to tax increase!

Holidays on the Dutch coast: prices explode due to tax increase!

Holidays on the Dutch coast are becoming increasingly expensive and have already reached record prices. Accommodation prices are constantly rising, especially on the Wadden Islands, so that overnight accommodation costs are now twice as high as in comparable regions. Experts point out that this could potentially lead to domestic and foreign tourists, including Germans and Belgians, avoiding the Netherlands. The average price for a night on the Waddeneilanden is now 72 euros, which is a significant increase compared to the national average of 39 euros calf reported.

Prices in the HoReCa sector (hotel, restaurant, café) rose by an average of 6 percent in 2024, while a further increase of 5 percent is expected for 2025. The development coincides with a record year for tourism in the Netherlands. In 2024, the Netherlands' hotels, campsites and holiday parks recorded a total of 51.7 million guests, an increase of almost 5 percent compared to the previous year. However, this positive development could be jeopardized by the high pricing policy.

Increase in VAT from 2026

Another reason for concern is the planned increase in VAT on overnight stays, which is set to rise from the current 9 percent to 21 percent from January 1, 2026. This measure represents an increase of 12 percentage points and could further increase holiday costs, which could have a major impact on the tourism industry. Entrepreneurs, associations and municipalities are warning of the possible effects, including a decline in the number of guests and the migration of tourists abroad. According to calculations, the state and the economy could suffer damage of over half a billion euros fr.de reported.

Hoteliers and holiday accommodation operators are also criticizing this tax increase. An open letter from Mikael Andersson and other competitors addresses concerns about fewer foreign tourists, especially Germans, in the coming years. The water sports and leisure association HISWA-RECRON assumes that the increase will increase prices for holiday homes and campsites, which could lead to a loss in sales of around 826 million euros.

Domestic vacation popularity

Despite rising prices, the number of Dutch people spending their holidays in their own country has doubled and now stands at around 8 percent. Three quarters of the population will vacation domestically twice on average in 2024, which will influence the dynamics of tourism in the Netherlands. But demand must also be reflected in a stable infrastructure in the coming year, as capacities on the coast are already reaching their limits.

The forecasts for the future are mixed. While Dutch tourist arrivals are expected to increase from 23.7 million in 2023 to 29.3 million by 2028, it remains to be seen how price increases and upcoming tax increases will affect tourists' travel behavior.