Events
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The Costa del Sol Tourist Board has attended the 40th edition of Vakantiebeurs, where it shared a space with Turismo Andaluz in the Turespaña stand. The stand also hosted the Andalusian Camping Federation and some of our affiliates –Insur Travel, TSC, Rural Andalus, Ruta Solar, Serhs, and the Town Halls of Málaga, Benalmádena, Torremolinos, and Nerja.
The fair’s format was similar to that of past editions, the first day targeting travel professionals and the remaining days welcoming general visitors. The event gathered 1,633 exhibitors from 160 countries, drawing 117,335 visitors, 13,058 professionals. The day with the largest number of visitors was Friday, with 28,418.
Our staff held a series of meetings during Vakantiebeurs, including those with the Head of the Spanish Tourist Office in The Hague, representatives of TUI, and representatives of Kras.NL.
With the crisis, most professionals agreed the prospects are not too bright, which will be reflected in a growing number of last-minute bookings. Moreover, in the case of well-known travel destinations like the Costa del Sol, online bookings are also expected to rise.
Dutch travellers are fond of fly & drive holidays, caravans, and campsites, as they like to discover travel destinations for themselves. TUI uses two distinct channels to meet their needs: Arke for online booking and Holland International for travel agency products.
Kras.nl is an independent operator belonging to the TUI group. It sells tours, fly & drive packages, and coach trips. For the Costa del Sol, they are interested in long winter stays for senior travellers.
With regard to airlines, there are several options available to come to the Costa del Sol. Transavia serves two daily direct flights to Málaga from Amsterdam all year round, one daily direct flight from Rotterdam, and three to five flights a week (in winter and summer, respectively) from Eindhoven. Likewise, Vueling is starting to operate four flights a week from Amsterdam in April and Ryanair, two flights a week from Maastricht as of June 23, 2010. Finally, Arkefly (the airline operated by Arke) is launching two direct flights a week in April (on Wednesdays and Fridays).
The fair’s organisers conducted a survey among 910 visitors, which produced the a series of interesting data for the 2010 season. When asked which destination they would choose for their holidays, 41% participants said they would choose non-European destinations, whereas 57% answered they would stay in Europe, with only 2% staying in the Netherlands. As to the ranking of European destinations, it is topped by France, followed by Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Norway. Off-Europe destinations were led by the Middle East, followed by Africa, North America, South America, and Oceania.
Spain holds the second largest share of the Dutch travel market (13.8% reservations), lying only 1% below France (14.8%) and ahead of Italy (11.3%) Turkey (10.1%), and Greece (9.7%). All the other destinations are far behind. The Costa del Sol accounts for 10% of all Dutch bookings made for Spain.
The crisis has hit the Netherlands more strongly than expected. However, surveys reveal Dutch travellers are not willing to give up their summer holidays. Instead, they would rather have shorter secondary holidays (in autumn or winter) or no secondary holidays at all. It should be borne in mind that, on average, the Dutch go out on holidays three times a year.
These trends could favour Spain, which has kept its place as the leading summer destination among Dutch tourists. However, in an attempt to save money, the Dutch are expected to choose closer destinations or even stay in the country, take shorter holidays, use more economical means of transport, or travel on lower budgets.
Moreover, bookings are being made later, for many travellers wait until the last minute to get better prices. Surveys also reveal indecisiveness, even when holidaymakers insist on their willingness to travel. Tour operators have responded with good deals, aimed at boosting demand and encouraging customers to make reservations.
Our staff held a series of meetings during Vakantiebeurs, including those with the Head of the Spanish Tourist Office in The Hague, representatives of TUI, and representatives of Kras.NL.
With the crisis, most professionals agreed the prospects are not too bright, which will be reflected in a growing number of last-minute bookings. Moreover, in the case of well-known travel destinations like the Costa del Sol, online bookings are also expected to rise.
Dutch travellers are fond of fly & drive holidays, caravans, and campsites, as they like to discover travel destinations for themselves. TUI uses two distinct channels to meet their needs: Arke for online booking and Holland International for travel agency products.
Kras.nl is an independent operator belonging to the TUI group. It sells tours, fly & drive packages, and coach trips. For the Costa del Sol, they are interested in long winter stays for senior travellers.
With regard to airlines, there are several options available to come to the Costa del Sol. Transavia serves two daily direct flights to Málaga from Amsterdam all year round, one daily direct flight from Rotterdam, and three to five flights a week (in winter and summer, respectively) from Eindhoven. Likewise, Vueling is starting to operate four flights a week from Amsterdam in April and Ryanair, two flights a week from Maastricht as of June 23, 2010. Finally, Arkefly (the airline operated by Arke) is launching two direct flights a week in April (on Wednesdays and Fridays).
The fair’s organisers conducted a survey among 910 visitors, which produced the a series of interesting data for the 2010 season. When asked which destination they would choose for their holidays, 41% participants said they would choose non-European destinations, whereas 57% answered they would stay in Europe, with only 2% staying in the Netherlands. As to the ranking of European destinations, it is topped by France, followed by Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Norway. Off-Europe destinations were led by the Middle East, followed by Africa, North America, South America, and Oceania.
Spain holds the second largest share of the Dutch travel market (13.8% reservations), lying only 1% below France (14.8%) and ahead of Italy (11.3%) Turkey (10.1%), and Greece (9.7%). All the other destinations are far behind. The Costa del Sol accounts for 10% of all Dutch bookings made for Spain.
The crisis has hit the Netherlands more strongly than expected. However, surveys reveal Dutch travellers are not willing to give up their summer holidays. Instead, they would rather have shorter secondary holidays (in autumn or winter) or no secondary holidays at all. It should be borne in mind that, on average, the Dutch go out on holidays three times a year.
These trends could favour Spain, which has kept its place as the leading summer destination among Dutch tourists. However, in an attempt to save money, the Dutch are expected to choose closer destinations or even stay in the country, take shorter holidays, use more economical means of transport, or travel on lower budgets.
Moreover, bookings are being made later, for many travellers wait until the last minute to get better prices. Surveys also reveal indecisiveness, even when holidaymakers insist on their willingness to travel. Tour operators have responded with good deals, aimed at boosting demand and encouraging customers to make reservations.
Author: Patronato de Turismo de la Costa del Sol
(c) 2010 - Tourist Board of the Costa del Sol - info@costadelsol.travel