Holidaymakers are making different choices than a few years ago. Less far away, more conscious booking and preferring no hassle. This can be seen extra strongly in camping this year. In Limburg, entrepreneurs notice that caravans are prepared early for the season and that guests more often choose the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany instead of a faraway trip. Expensive fuel, uncertainty around flying and international unrest play into this.
At the same time, NBTC (forecast 2026) shows that overnight tourism in the Netherlands will grow only slightly by 0.5 per cent in 2026. This growth comes mainly from international visits. The domestic market actually shrinks slightly, by 1 percent, partly due to price pressure and higher VAT on accommodation. For tourism entrepreneurs, the message is clear: guests still want to go away, but they are looking more closely, comparing more and making more conscious choices.
Camping is no longer a sideline
Camping has long since ceased to be a temporary revival. In 2025, Dutch campsites received more than 5.6 million guests. That is 8.6 per cent more than a year earlier. Two thirds of those campers came from their own country. The De Limburger article also makes it clear why this trend is continuing: people appreciate the freedom, simplicity and flexibility of camping more than ever.
On top of that. According to ACSI, families with children expect to spend an average of 39 days camping this year, up from 28 days last year. People without children are also counting on a longer camping period. This not only makes camping popular, but also economically interesting for the entire region. Those who stay longer are more likely to sit at a terrace, enter a shop and go out more often.
""Many people are choosing not to go so far from home this year. No longer to Spain or Austria, but closer." "
De Limburger, Monique Evers | 9 April 2026
The guest seeks grip
A second development is at least as important: holidaymakers want more certainty. Less chance of cancellations, fewer surprises and, above all, less dependence on a flight or faraway trip. This is precisely why camping is gaining ground. A tent or caravan gives freedom. If you don't like a place, you move on. If the weather changes, you adjust your plan.
For North Limburg, this is an opportunity that fits well with the region's character. Here, there is no need to put on a big spectacle. Instead, the strength lies in peace, space, nature and conviviality. That feels manageable. And that is exactly what is in demand right now.
Nearby becomes more attractive
De Limburger also reveals that holidaymakers are more often considering whether a long-distance car journey still makes sense. With high fuel prices, the question suddenly becomes very practical: do you really still want to drive all the way to southern Europe? This brings the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany back into the picture.
At the same time, NBTC sees that travellers are becoming more price-conscious and are more likely to choose cheaper alternatives. This sharpens competition between regions, but it also makes North Limburg extra relevant. The region is conveniently located, feels close and yet offers the feeling of really getting away from it all.
Not cheap, but logically priced
Camping is no longer spotty. According to De Limburger, a family with two children in the Netherlands pays around 40 euros per night on average. Yet it remains attractive, precisely because it is still cheaper than many holiday parks or faraway holidays.
This is an important insight for entrepreneurs. The guest is not necessarily looking for the lowest price. The guest is looking for value. A fair price for a stay that is right. Those who sit on discount alone often miss the real profit.
Choose your guest
Perhaps the most important lesson from the article: campsites have a future, but they need to choose a clear target group and move with the times. There are campsites for nature lovers, for adults and for guests looking for lots of luxury.
That lesson applies equally well to other tourism entrepreneurs in North Limburg. Who do you want to attract? Families, peace seekers, motorhome owners, cyclists, hikers or couples without children? The sharper that profile, the stronger your story. And the more likely the right guest will feel addressed.
Opportunities for entrepreneurs
For entrepreneurs in North Limburg, the opportunities lie mainly in responding smartly to this new holiday choice. Make short stays easy to book. Think of two or three nights, midweek or last-minute breaks. Don't just focus on overnight stays, but on the entire stay. Campers have breakfast in the village, go to a terrace, hire a bicycle and also want to experience something nearby.
Clarity is also becoming more important. Clear prices, well-organised packages and a hassle-free offer give confidence. And just as important: work together. The guest does not experience a separate enterprise, but a region. Especially in North Limburg, the strength lies in the overall picture of accommodation, catering, nature, routes and hospitality.
""Families with children came to the conclusion that an all-inclusive resort is not everything either." "
De Limburger, based on ACSI spokesman Tom Huyskens
This is the time
The trend is clear. Less remote. More camping. More need for flexibility and overview. This demands something from entrepreneurs, but it also offers many opportunities. North Limburg does not have to shout louder to achieve this. Above all, it needs to show what it is strong in.
Tranquillity. Space. Being outdoors. Not having to do anything for a while. Exactly what many guests are looking for right now. And let that just be here for the taking.
Sources: NBTC, Forecast 2026: Staying tourism in the Netherlands grows slightly, shrinking domestic market; ACSI, Camping Intention Research 2026 Netherlands; De Limburger, Monique Evers, Camping more popular: an all-inclusive resort in Turkey isn't everything either, 9 April 2026