The Netherlands

Market Overview Length of stay and expenditure by visitors from The Netherlands is among the highest of all visitors to New Zealand.

The Dutch love to travel, making around 16.7 million overseas trips every year. They have the longest median length of stay in New Zealand of any of our key markets and are also among the highest-spending visitors

The Netherlands has an advanced economy, which combines high income per head with a fairly even income distribution. The economy is one of the most open and outward-looking in the world due to the country's geographical position at a crucial hub of Europe's transport system.

Outlook

The impacts of the global financial crisis on the Dutch economy are expected to be severe. The Government has nationalised the operations of two major banks, Fortis and ABN Amro, and has unveiled a package of measures to guarantee lending and boost the capital of other Dutch banks.

Consumer confidence has been hit and retail sales are down. Real GDP growth is expected to drop to below 2 per cent in 2009, down from 3.5 per cent in 2007, due to lower export growth as well as reduced domestic demand.

Despite this, the high Euro will help keep travel affordable. New Zealand has had a high profile in this market over the last few months, with the launch of the film Bride Flight, which is set in New Zealand.

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