The Dutch spend more money on a winter sports holiday than they spend on average on a holiday abroad. This is evident from a large-scale consumer survey conducted by research agency Trends & Tourism at the beginning of November into the market for winter sports holidays. A quarter of Dutch people are considering going on winter sports in the next three years. Most potential winter sports enthusiasts want to go skiing. Austria is by far the most popular destination. ‘Half of the winter sports enthusiasts mainly go for the atmosphere/experience,’ says researcher Kees van der Most. Approximately a quarter of the Dutch population is decided/probably planning to go on winter sports in the next three years. Young people and those with a higher education in particular want to go on winter sports. The main reason for not having plans for a winter sports holiday is that people do not like winter sports and the high costs of winter sports holidays. Half of the winter sports enthusiasts mainly go for the atmosphere/experience (winter landscape, being together, etc.). A third goes mainly for the sport itself (skiing, snowboarding or some other form). For one in five, both motives are equally important. Two-thirds of winter sports enthusiasts want to go skiing, half want to hike and almost one-third want to snowboard. Après-ski is popular with two-thirds of winter sports enthusiasts. Austria is the most popular among winter sports enthusiasts. More than two-thirds (70 percent) of potential winter sports enthusiasts are considering this destination. Switzerland, France and Germany follow with 34, 28 and 25 percent. The up-and-coming destination of Scandinavia (including Finland) is considered by 22 percent. Dutch people with winter sports plans want to spend an average of about 1,140 euros per person per holiday when they go on winter sports, according to the study. This is more than 35 percent more than the average amount spent on a holiday abroad. (Photo Shutterstock).
