The popularity of holiday parks has increased enormously among the Dutch this year. The number of Dutch people who stayed in a holiday park in their own country increased by more than 20% during the summer months compared to 2019. This is shown by figures from holiday parks platform Parkvakanties. Due to the consequences of the corona virus, more people are choosing to stay at a holiday park in their own country this year. “Especially during the summer holidays and the autumn holidays, Dutch holiday parks were almost full,” says Laurens Taekema of Parkvakanties. Taekema also predicts a run on holiday bookings in Dutch holiday parks towards Christmas and the end of the year.
Twice as many website visitors
According to figures from Park holidays, to which chains such as Landal GreenParks and Roompot are affiliated, the number of bookings in May was more than half (62%) higher than in the same period last year. Website visits have also risen sharply, says Taekema. The number of visitors on Park Holidays increased on average by 200% in the months of May and June. The occupancy at Dutch holiday parks increased by 7% during the summer compared to 2019. Despite the good summer, the Dutch holiday and bungalow parks in 2020 still record a total contraction of -22% due to the poor occupancy during the spring. from figures from ZKA Leisure. The fact that Dutch holiday parks are so popular has everything to do with the consequences of the corona crisis.
“After a bad spring in which March and April saw an average of 30% fewer website visitors, the number of visitors then skyrocketed. The explosive increase came after Rutte allowed travel in his own country during the press conference. Especially after the lockdown, the Dutch had the urge to go on vacation. Due to foreign travel restrictions, many people now view a 'holiday close to home' with different eyes. Moreover, the good facilities, space, nature and the possibility to stay in your own detached bungalow appeal to many Dutch people. ” said Taekema.
“Holiday parks are spaciously laid out, so you can easily comply with the XNUMX meter distance rule. Moreover, there is a lot to do at holiday parks: there is playing, swimming, midget golf and recreation in the area. Combine that pleasure with the necessary hygiene and precautions and the preference for a carefree holiday at a holiday park in the Netherlands is quite understandable. ” Taekema says.
Christmas break
After the successful summer and autumn holidays, Taekema expects that Dutch holiday parks can also expect many bookings during the Christmas holidays. “Now that the OMT is calling on people to stay in their own country as much as possible during the Christmas holidays, a stay at a holiday park offers a good alternative. During the summer and autumn holidays, we also saw many last minute bookings. There could just be another run on holiday parks during Christmas. The ever-changing measures surrounding the corona crisis are making people somewhat more insecure, and therefore wait-and-see. But one thing is certain: people are tired of sitting at home all the time. ”
