The Netherlands’ tourism sector generated nearly €118 billion last year as international travel rebounded, marking a €6 billion increase on 2024 figures, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). When adjusted for inflation, overall tourism expenditure grew by 3 per cent in real terms.
The metric includes all pre- and post-trip spending by domestic and international holidaymakers, as well as revenue captured by Dutch aviation and hospitality platforms from overseas customers booking travel indirectly.
Growth was overwhelmingly propelled by inbound foreign visitors, whose spending surged by more than 7 per cent in real terms to reach nearly €42 billion—a year-on-year increase of roughly €3 billion.
While foreign spending saw the sharpest rise, domestic tourists still generated the majority of income, spending €70 billion over the course of the year. Adjusted for inflation, local consumer spending in the sector saw a modest 1 per cent rise.
Despite the top-line revenue gains, workforce recovery across the industry remains sluggish. Tourism accounted for 5.4 per cent of total Dutch employment in 2025—up from its pandemic trough of 4.6 per cent in 2021, but still shy of pre-COVID levels. Hospitality, the largest employer within the sector, was the sole branch to register a slight contraction in head counts.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
