Stable visitors flows

The first period of 2012 shows a steady flow of visitors to Amsterdam. Nonetheless, there are some some significant variations from one month to the next and the output of the current spending is on average lower than in 2011. Consumer confidence in the major source markets is still relatively low and even lower than in 2011.

Amsterdam attracts a wide range of nationalities, which provides the city a stable base. Emerging markets and the U.S. give a positive impuls to the expenditures (source: Visitor profile Amsterdam 2012). However, the overall growth remains below the market growth registered in other European metropolises like Berlin, Copenhagen, Vienna, Lisbon, Paris, Prague and Barcelona.

The BRIC countries show a continuous growth.

Schiphol missed the pluses of last year and the museums and attractions display a peak in May, in parallel with the growth bednights in that period. The first months of the year, especially in February and March, however, were for most sectors slightly worse than last year. Cumulative results are thus stable.

Business and tourist bednights show a similar pattern as seen last year.

Looking at the source areas, the Dutch market fell sharply in overnight stays (-9.4% t / May), while the other core markets (including Spain and Italy) are stable. The aforementioned BRIC countries, even though still limited in terms of volume, form together a good boost for the current and future developments.