Tourist numbers rose across the Netherlands last year but fell in the southern province of Zeeland despite its popular beaches, local broadcaster Omroep Zeeland reported on Thursday, quoting figures from national statistics agency CBS.

Overnight stays in the coastal province dropped by 5% in 2025, with bookings for holiday homes down 12%. Nationwide, overnight stays by domestic and foreign tourists increased by 2%.

“The weather was good, but Zeeland is less likely to be seen as a place where there are things to do all year round,” Diana Korteweg Maris of coastal tourism body HZ Kenniscentrum Kusttoerisme told Omroep Zeeland.

She said the province has not invested enough in sustainable and innovative tourism in recent years and work needs to be done to make sure tourists are getting value for money.

• Dutch destinations: Zoom on down to Zierikzee
• Dutch destinations: You should definitely go to Goes
• Dutch destinations: Exploring the former island of Walcheren

“Companies think people will keep coming anyway, so you could say there is some nonchalance,” Korteweg Maris said. Budget hotels and venues, she said, are particularly likely to feel the impact.

The number of foreign visitors to Zeeland declined – although the region remains very popular with Germans – but the sharpest fall was among Dutch tourists.