Tourism spending in the Netherlands is on the rise, with both domestic and international visitors contributing a total of €111.2 billion in 2023—nearly €6 billion more than the previous year, according to new figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
The growth rate in tourism outpaced that of the overall Dutch economy, reflecting a strong catch-up effect after the COVID-19 pandemic, when the sector was hit hard by global travel restrictions and widespread hospitality closures. Since then, tourism has shown steady recovery, consistently expanding faster than the broader economy.
Despite this pace, the sector has not entirely recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Employment in the sector remains lower than in 2019, the last year before the crisis. However, jobs did increase in 2023, particularly within travel agencies and the aviation industry, signaling a shift in where labor demand is growing.
Dutch residents were the biggest contributors to tourism revenue, spending more than €67 billion domestically. International visitors also played a key role, not only through on-the-ground spending but also through transactions abroad with Dutch companies, such as online bookings made with travel firms based in the Netherlands.
While the recovery continues, the data shows a mixed picture: strong revenue growth but a workforce still finding its footing. The figures highlight both the resilience of the Dutch tourism sector and the ongoing challenges in restoring employment to pre-pandemic strength.
