Dutch holiday bookings to the US fall 30% in March

The Dutch are turning their backs on holidays to the US and bookings in March alone are down 30% on last year, according to new figures from travel bureau umbrella group ANVR.

“The drop is across all regions within the US,” the ANVR’s Walter Schut said in a statement.

The reduction is in line with statistics in other countries, and experts say US president Donald Trump’s policies are to blame. While there are general concerns about his strategy, people are worried in particular about their personal safety.

Several foreign tourists have found themselves stopped and locked up after border checks. And in March, the Dutch foreign affairs ministry has changed its official travel advice for members of the LGBTIQ+ community travelling to the US, warning them that “other laws and customs” now operate there.

President Trump was asked about the 12% general downturn in tourist numbers earlier this week, telling reporters that “a little nationalism” was probably involved and that it was “not a big deal”.