Black Saturday is upon us—the day when the Netherlands embarks on its mass summer getaway. Drawing from a Synovate survey of 500 Dutch respondents, we explore why people vacation, their preferred destinations, and essential suitcase items.
Key finding: A striking 25% of Dutch people skip holidays entirely. They prefer unwinding at home in the Netherlands. By contrast, another 25% jet off abroad four or more times annually.
Relaxation rules
Unsurprisingly, relaxation tops the motive list. One in five opts for a beach holiday. Most prioritize downtime over time with partners or communing with nature. Favorites? Reading books, listening to music, tackling puzzles, and watching DVDs. No wonder thrillers, chick lit, and magazine bundles fly off shelves this season.
Destinations lean toward Europe, reachable by car for most.
Pain point: Bad weather can ruin trips, topping the holiday frustrations in Bol.com's survey.
Top 5 annoyances:
1. Bad weather;
2. Pushy salespeople;
3. Disappointing accommodation;
4. Overly touristy spots;
5. Being robbed.
