When booking a holiday destination, often only the price of the trip is considered and not the prices on the spot. However, there are major differences between the holiday countries. Norway is the most expensive holiday destination in Europe, followed by Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland. The cheapest destinations are in Eastern Europe:Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria are half cheaper for holidaymakers than the Netherlands. Back from vacation, few are able to hold on to the 'holiday feeling' for longer than a week. More than 60% have already lost the relaxed feeling after one day of work. This is apparent from last week's Ing Question of Today among 51,400 respondents per day.
Half does not take local price levels into account when planning holidays
Many Dutch people are less aware of their expenses during their holidays than usual. But even before departure, when choosing the holiday destination, the budget does not seem to predominate. For example, for almost half (46%) the local price level plays no role at all when choosing a holiday destination. Exchange rate developments are not even important for 80%. Still, some holiday countries are a lot more expensive than others, which can lead to surprises.
Norway is by far the most expensive holiday destination in Europe Norway is head and shoulders above all other countries in Europe. The prices of typical holiday expenses such as catering, transport, food and drink are almost 70% higher there than in the Netherlands. Four more Scandinavian countries are in the top 6 of most expensive holiday countries. Scandinavia is known for its high excise duties on alcohol and tobacco, but supermarkets are also considerably more expensive than here. Switzerland is also in the top 6. This country has also become extra expensive for tourists from outside in recent months, due to the appreciation of the Swiss franc against the euro. Holidaying with our southern neighbors is slightly more expensive than in the Netherlands. Supermarket prices in Belgium in particular are higher than in Belgium, transport is cheaper there. For holidaymakers who want to save money, it is wise to focus on Eastern Europe. In Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria the prices for holiday expenses are half lower than in the Netherlands. Closer to home, in the Czech Republic and Poland, the price level is also considerably lower than here.
Work
About two in three working people (65%) are extra busy the week before departure, while more than a quarter (28%) are just as busy as normal. Only 7% of workers indicate that they can phase out the week before going on holiday. Holidaymakers not only experience extra crowds before their holiday, but also afterwards. The group that says it is extra busy after their return is also 65%. A full email box and piled up work can of course play a role here.
Holiday feeling disappears on average after half a week of work
The busyness that people experience when they return to work after the holidays, of course, does not contribute to retaining the so-called 'holiday feeling'. Almost six out of ten holidaymakers therefore fail to maintain this relaxed feeling for more than a day. The feeling disappears on average after 2 to 3 days – half a week of work. A minority manage to stay in the holiday mood for longer. At 15%, the holiday rush lasts even longer than a week. Research by the University of Nijmegen shows that the holiday duration has no influence on the durability of the holiday feeling. The holiday feeling disappears just as quickly, whether someone is on holiday for 1 or 4 weeks.
