Closer to Home, Shorter Trips
Despite the global turbulence, the overall appetite for a May break remains steady. Around 59 percent of Dutch residents are heading off on holiday in the coming weeks, a figure broadly in line with last year. So people have not given up on travel — they have simply adjusted their expectations.

Shorter trips are becoming the norm, and many travelers, especially families with children, are trimming spending on food and drinks to keep costs manageable.

The destination map has also shifted in noticeable ways. Spain, which has traditionally ranked as the second most popular choice for Dutch tourists during the April and May holidays after the Netherlands itself, has been nudged out of that spot this year by Germany.

France and Belgium continue to draw steady interest and remain firm favorites among Dutch travelers heading abroad.

Long-Haul Loses Its Pull
While European destinations are gaining ground, long-haul travel is clearly paying the price. The United States has seen a particularly sharp drop in popularity — six out of ten travelers said the current political climate there has made them less inclined to visit.

South American and Asian destinations are also drawing fewer Dutch tourists than in previous years, though within Asia, Thailand remains the top pick, followed by China and Vietnam.

One trend cutting across all of this is the growing r.