Some 10.8 million of the Dutch 17 million population will head off on holiday this year, down 400,000 on a year ago, according to new research by the tourism board.

‘The change is due to the recession, falling spending power and low consumer confidence,’ a spokeswoman told news agency ANP.
Of the holidaymakers, 2.6 million will holiday in the Netherlands itself, 7.8 million will go abroad and 300,000 have not yet made up their minds.
France, Spain and Germany remain the most popular foreign destinations, with Turkey and Croatia rising in popularity.
Even though France is still the favourite holiday spot for the Dutch, some 75,000 fewer people plan to visit this summer. Belgium and Greece will also have fewer Dutch tourists.