New trends and international events in the Dutch travel industry
The Dutch travel industry is in full motion. From large international conferences to new ways of vacationing: a lot is happening in the country during this period. In this article, we look at the most important trends and events currently occupying travelers and professionals in the Netherlands.
An important moment for the travel industry is the arrival of the International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum (IWTTF). This event will take place for the first time in the Netherlands on September 16 and 17, in the city of Utrecht. During this forum, topics such as inclusion, leadership, and change in the travel sector will be central. It is the first time that this international congress is being organized on the European mainland.
In addition to business events, we are also seeing a change in how Dutch people plan their holidays. According to recent data from Airbnb, more and more people are choosing an 'anti-stress holiday'. This means holidays with less travel time, less planning, and fewer stimuli. 'Slow travel' is also becoming more popular, for example in the province of Flevoland. This revolves around peace, nature, and discovering local products without haste.
For those who prefer to go out alone, there are more and more hotels specifically focusing on 'solo travel' in the Netherlands and Belgium. This is ideal for people who really want to unwind on their own for a while. For lovers of good food, there is also news: a list of the 19 best pizzerias in the Netherlands has been published. This way, travelers do not have to go to Naples for an authentic, high-quality pizza.
Finally, there are several opportunities for creative travelers this month. A photo competition has opened where people can share their most beautiful photos of Dutch forests to win a stay in Zeeland. Media professionals can also get to work: registration for the Dutch Travel Media Awards 2026 has officially opened. This is an important award for journalists, bloggers, and photographers in the travel industry.