Netherlands tourism spending hits 118 billion euros amid rising tax burdens

Tourism spending in the Netherlands reached nearly 118 billion euros last year, an increase of approximately 6 billion euros compared to 2024. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), inflation-adjusted spending rose by about 3 percent. International tourists accounted for more than half of this increase, spending nearly 42 billion euros, a 7 percent rise after inflation adjustment.

Domestic tourists contributed 70 billion euros, representing over half of the total expenditure, with an inflation-adjusted increase of nearly 1 percent. While employment in the tourism sector grew slightly to 5.4 percent of total employment in 2025, it remains below pre-pandemic levels, and employment in the hospitality industry saw a slight decline.

Simultaneously, the tax burden on holiday parks is projected to rise significantly, reaching an estimated 44 percent by 2026. A report commissioned by HISWA Recron identifies several drivers for this increase, including the rise of VAT to 21% on many types of accommodation, increased water taxes for high-consumption businesses, and rising municipal and water board levies. The report notes that these rising costs, driven by higher tax rates and increased valuation bases such as WOZ, may force operators to pass costs on to guests, potentially impacting demand, particularly in border regions where foreign competitors may operate under lower VAT rates.