Trips of EU residents - annual data (tour_dem)

National Reference Metadata in Euro SDMX Metadata Structure (ESMS)

Compiling agency: Statistics Netherlands


Eurostat metadata
Reference metadata
1. Contact
2. Metadata update
3. Statistical presentation
4. Unit of measure
5. Reference Period
6. Institutional Mandate
7. Confidentiality
8. Release policy
9. Frequency of dissemination
10. Accessibility and clarity
11. Quality management
12. Relevance
13. Accuracy
14. Timeliness and punctuality
15. Coherence and comparability
16. Cost and Burden
17. Data revision
18. Statistical processing
19. Comment
Related Metadata
Annexes (including footnotes)
 



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1. Contact Top
1.1. Contact organisation

Statistics Netherlands
1.2. Contact organisation unit

Labour, income and quality of life statistics
1.5. Contact mail address

Statistics Netherlands

P.O. Box 4481

6401 CZ Heerlen

The Netherlands


2. Metadata update Top
2.1. Metadata last certified

26 September 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted

26 September 2025
2.3. Metadata last update

26 September 2025


3. Statistical presentation Top
3.1. Data description

The CBS Holiday Survey is a continuous survey, which presents information about the domestic and outbound holidays of residents of the Netherlands aged 15 years and older. Estimates of the number of holidays, participation, overnight stays, and expenses are provided for different holiday characteristics including destination, season, means of transport, holiday duration, accommodation, booking characteristics, and travel party. The survey also provides information about same-day visits of residents from age 15 years.
3.2. Classification system

Not applicable.
3.3. Coverage - sector

National tourism: domestic tourism and outbound tourism (trips made by residents living in a private houshold of the reporting country).
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
3.4.1 Statistical concepts and definitions

See Regulation 692/2011, Delegated Regulation 2019/1681 and Methodological Manual for Tourism Statistics
3.4.2 Additional comments (e.g. country-specific deviations)
3.5. Statistical unit
3.5.1 Statistical unit 

Participation in tourism: the individual.
Tourism trips: the tourism trip with at least one overnight stay made by the individual.
Same-day visits: the same-day visit made by the individual.
3.5.2 Reporting unit Other
3.5.3 If other or additional comments, please specify

The reporting unit is a randomly sampled individual from the statistical population of the survey.
3.6. Statistical population
3.6.1 Statistical population

Residents of the Netherlands (excluding the Caribbean islands) who live in a private household and are at least 15 years of age; people living in an institution are excluded. 
3.6.2 Additional comments (e.g. deviating coverage in terms of age groups, multiple surveys with different subpopulation, inclusion of domestic same-day visits in years where this is not compulsory)

Reference date for sampling is January 1st of the reporting year.
3.7. Reference area

The entire territory of the Netherlands, excluding the Caribbean islands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba).
3.8. Coverage - Time

Coverage - Time [data comparable since (YYYY)]

3.8.1 Participation in tourism (Year)

2012
3.8.2 Tourism trips (Year)

2012
3.8.3 Same-day visits (outbound) (Year)

2021
3.8.4 Same-day visits (domestic) (Year)

2021
3.8.5 Additional comments (e.g. longer series for subgroups)
3.9. Base period

Not applicable.


4. Unit of measure Top

Not applicable


5. Reference Period Top

2024


6. Institutional Mandate Top
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
6.1.1 European level

Regulation 692/2011

Regulation 1051/2011

Delegated Regulation 1681/2019
6.1.2 National level

The Statistics Netherlands act
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing

Not applicable.


7. Confidentiality Top
7.1. Confidentiality - policy

On national level, law BWBR0011468, also called WBP (Wet Bescherming Persoonsgegevens), comprises how confidentiality should be handled.

In addition, there is a specific law for the National Statistical Office that also provides the legal boundaries for handling privacy information. This Statistics Netherlands Act stipulates that Statistics Netherlands is fully independent in terms of its statistical operations with respect to methodology and publications. Individual data are never published without consent. Section 37 states that “[...] the data [...] shall be used solely for statistical purposes. The data [...] shall only be published in such a way that no recognisable data can be derived from them about an individual person, household, company or institution, unless [...] there are good reasons to assume that the company or institution concerned will not have any objections to the publication.” 

Finally, Statistics Netheralnds also has its own Code of Practice.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
  • The National Statistics Institute takes all the necessary logical, physical and administrative measures to ensure the data protection in all the stages of the statistical process.
  • Microdata files provided to users are anonymized by excluding identification information and by aggregating categories of certain variables to prevent indirect identification.
  • Only aggregated data are published. The results tables published are analysed to avoid that private information could be deduced from them.
  • Personal background information that could identify individual respondents is stored and processed separately from the data.
  • Statistical data processing is performed by staff trained to respect the principle of confidentiality.


8. Release policy Top
8.1. Release calendar

Statistics Netherlands presents on its website a long-term release calendar and weekly release overview for the coming week.

Tourism data is placed in the Statistics Netherlands publicly accessible database Statline (without press release) within 6 months after the end of the reference period.
8.2. Release calendar access

Release calendar and weekly release overview can be found in the Publication Calendar of Statistics Netherlands.
8.3. Release policy - user access

Data are published in the Statline database; all users can freely access and use the data (use of the figures for publications should be mentioned).

There is no formal notification of when new data are published. When new data are published, these data are considered preliminary. They become definite when data of the next year are disseminated in the Statline database.

For details, see Statstic Netherlands release policy.


9. Frequency of dissemination Top

Annually.


10. Accessibility and clarity Top
10.1. Dissemination format - News release

News releases on the basis of information from the CBS Holiday Survey are published on the website of Statistics Netherlands.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications

Ad hoc publications: news articles available in Dutch on the Statistics Netherlands website.

Data from the Dutch Holiday Survey is used for the tourism dashboard of NBTC, the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database

Data are made available in the online Statline database, which is publicly accessible. Variables can be chosen and combined, and data can be downloaded.

There are currently 7 tables that with actual figures that are updated annually.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access

Microdata is made available through a remote access facility to external parties under strict conditions.

Information can be found here: 'Microdata: Conducting your own research'.
10.5. Dissemination format - other

Statistics Netherlands offers Additional Statistical Research (ASR) services under certain conditions.

This service entails additional analysis on the microdata to obtain information that is not available in the Statline database.

For more information, see the Additional Statistical Research page on the Statistics Netherlands website.

The results ASR requests are always published on the Statistics Netherlands website.
10.6. Documentation on methodology

Information on Statistics Netherlands holiday survey is available on the website of Statistics Netherlands (only available in Dutch).
10.7. Quality management - documentation

The quality of the survey is monitored constantly and improvements are made where possible.


11. Quality management Top
11.1. Quality assurance

Statistics Netherlands has set up a quality management system to assure the quality of statistical information.

In addition, Quality Guidelines have been drawn up to guide the statistical processes of Statistics Netherlands. The guidelines form the basis for audits and self-assessments of statistical processes. The report may also serve as input for redesign processes of statistics. The Quality Guidelines integrates international and national frameworks as well as Statistics Netherlands’ guidelines and Board resolutions.

The Checklist Quality of Statistical Output describes nineteen characteristics of statistical output. Each characteristic – also called dimension – is elaborated according to a certain structure starting with the definition of the characteristic. For each characteristic possible indicators and measures are formulated and summarized as a checklist in an annex. This report has several purposes. Seven purposes of the report are identified like serve as a knowledge base while making an agreement with customers about quality of statistical output. The report does not contain guidelines for the CBS organization and has no mandatory character, although it can serve as a starting point for developing guidelines.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
11.2.1 Main strengths

- Large sample size.

- Participants complete quarterly questionnaires to reduce memory effects.

- Data is collected from the same respondents throughout the year.

- The questionnaire has been optimised for smartphones.

- Missing data are imputed using automised imputation methods which lead to accurate estimates.

- Overall data quality is good.

- All requirements of the Regulation 692/2011 are taken into consideration.

- The production process is completely automated.
11.2.2 Main weaknesses

- Attrition throughout the year is considerable.

- It is problematic to publish low-regional statistics.

- The questionnaire is offered to potential respondents only in Dutch.

- Respondents can only use online modes (computer, tablet, smartphone) as a mode to respond.
11.2.3 Quality improvements compared with previous reference year

Respondents who did not submit their email address were reapproached by regular mail for the next measurement. In the previous year these respondents dropped out.


12. Relevance Top
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
12.1.1 European level

See: Regulation 692/2011
12.1.2 Main users on a national level

Relevance of the tourism statistics has always been high: the data is used by media, policymakers, students, tourism organisations and researchers for analysing travel patterns of the Dutch population.

The data are used for other statistics at Statistics Netherlands, such as National Accounts, Tourism Accounts, the National Household Budget Survey, Mobility Survey, and International Trade in Services.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

User satisfaction is not measured explicitly.

However, there is always need for more detailed data mainly for smaller geographical areas, both for domestic (COROP, municipalities) and outbound tourism (countries, regions).
12.3. Completeness
12.3.1 Completeness

Data delivery is compliant with the requirements of Regulation on tourism statistics 692/2011, Delegated Regulation 2019/1681, as well as recommendations laid down in the Methodological Manual for tourism statistics.
12.3.2 If not, please specify why and list deviations from Reg.


13. Accuracy Top
13.1. Accuracy - overall

The main source of the estimation errors are sampling errors, non-response errors and measurement errors. 

The problem of unit non-response and attrition is considerable, since only a small percentage of the sample complete the four questionnaires in their first year of participation (below 10%). This can be problematic for weighting in subgroups with low response rates.

Significant item non-response appears for variables referring to holiday expenses. For dealing with item non-response, automated imputation methods are used.

Measurement errors can arise from respondents: not understanding the questions, not knowing the answer, typos, and/or hesitance to share information as regards more personal or sensitive issues. Measurement errors are not formally calculated in this survey.
13.2. Sampling error

13.2.1 Sampling errors - indicators

Information on Sampling errors may also be provided in the attached file.  Estimated value Coefficient of variation
13.2.1.1 Participation in tourism for personal purposes: number of residents, aged 15 or over, having made at least 1 trip of at least 1 overnight stay (all age groups)

12506362

1,67
13.2.1.2 Participation in tourism for personal purposes: number of residents, aged 65 or over, having made at least 1 trip of at least 1 overnight stay

3091451

1,45
13.2.1.3 Tourism trips - Total number of trips

47526441

2,34
13.2.1.4 Domestic trips

22771012

3,20
13.2.1.5 Outbound trips

24755429

2,53
13.2.1.6 Private/Personal trips

43973346

2,23
13.2.1.7 Professional/business trips

3553095

11,80
13.2.1.8 Domestic trips spent at rented accommodation

15244407

2,93
13.2.1.9 Domestic trips spent at non-rented accommodation

7526605

6,63
13.2.1.10 Tourism trips - Total expenditure excluding durables and valuable goods

29128247751

2,68
13.2.1.11 Expenditure on accommodation

11249727054

2,81


13.2.2 Additional comments on sampling error





 



Annexes:
NL_2024_13.2_Estimated values and coefficients of variation
13.3. Non-sampling error

13.3.1 Coverage errors

13.3.1.1 Over-coverage

The population register that Statistics Netherlands uses for sampling is updated monthly.

As a result, changes in the population up to a month before the sampling data have not been processed.

This may lead to small under- and over-coverage.
13.3.1.2 Under-coverage

See 13.3.1


13.3.2 Unit non-response for TRIPS dataset

  Unit non-response
13.3.2.1 Number of ineligible units/ elements

177
13.3.2.2 Number of eligible units/elements

36614
13.3.2.3 Number of non-contacts

163
13.3.2.4 Number of refusals

704
13.3.2.5 Number of rejected questionnaires

0
13.3.2.6 Number of other types of non-response

27796
13.3.2.7 Total non-response (= sum of 13.3.2.3 to 13.3.2.6)

28663


13.3.3 Unit non-response rate

13.3.3.1 Unit non-response rate for TRIPS dataset (= 13.3.2.7 divided by 13.3.2.2)

78,3%
13.3.3.2 Unit non-response rate for PARTIC dataset

idem
13.3.3.3 Unit non-response rate for SDVOUT dataset

idem
13.3.3.4 Methods used for dealing with/minimising unit non-response

- multiple reminders for each measurement, both by e-mail and by regular mail

- raffle of a number of ipads


13.3.4 Item non-response

13.3.4.1 Item non-response

Not available
13.3.4.2 Methods used for dealing with/minimising item non-response

- mandatory questions in the questionnaire.

- imputation of missing values.

- inferring the correct answer to a question from the answer(s) to other questions.


13.3.5 Additional comments on non-sampling error 

In the first quarter of 2024, in addition to contacting respondens from 2023 to participate in 2024, a fresh sample was drawn to be able to obtain the required response.

In the calculations of section 13.3, the non-response figures from both groups were taken together.

The response from the re-contacted group was much higher.

See annex for further specification of the response in the quarterly questionnaires.


(in case of second survey please briefly describe 13.3.1-13.3.4 here)



Annexes:
NL_2024_Unit non-response


14. Timeliness and punctuality Top
14.1. Timeliness
14.1.1 Participation in tourism

Publication after 4 months, in July 2025.
14.1.2 Tourism trips

Publication after 4 months, in July 7 2025.
14.1.3 Same-day visits (outbound)

These data are not published.
14.2. Punctuality
14.2.1 Participation in tourism

The 2024 participation data were transmitted to Eurostat on June 27, 2025.
14.2.2 Tourism trips

The 2024 trips data were transmitted to Eurostat on June 27, 2025.
14.2.3 Same-day visits (outbound)

The 2024 same-day visits data were transmitted to Eurostat on June 25, 2025.


15. Coherence and comparability Top
15.1. Comparability - geographical

Regions are comparable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
15.2.1 Participation in tourism

Series from 2002 to 2016, from 2017 to 2020, and from 2021 to present.

Caution should be exercised when comparing the results between series, especially when estimates are more specific and detailed.

Changes in de 2017 series mainly comprise the processing of the raw questionnairer data.

The series starting in 2021 entails a complete redesign of the survey, so more caution should be exercised here. 

 

 
15.2.2 Tourism trips

See 15.2.1.
15.2.3 Same-day visits (outbound)

See 15.2.1.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain

There is limited coherence across domains, mainly because the methodology and the main focus differ (i.e. available beds in accommodation statistics). However, general trends are usually consistent to a certain degree and depending on the type of statistic. 
15.4. Coherence - internal

Consistent.


16. Cost and Burden Top
Restricted from publication


17. Data revision Top
17.1. Data revision - policy

Preliminary tables are published on Statline within about 3 months after data collection is completed. These tables are made definitive when there are no changes when the preliminary tables of the following year are published.

After tables have reached a definitive status, only major, high impact errors are corrected.
17.2. Data revision - practice

See 17.1: practice is in line with policy.

 


18. Statistical processing Top
18.1. Source data

18.1.1. Source data

18.1.1.1 Source data

Survey
18.1.1.2 Name of data collection in national language

CBS Vakantie Onderzoek (CVO)
18.1.1.3 Name of data collection in English

Statistics Netherlands Holiday Survey
18.1.1.4 Survey vehicle Stand-alone survey
18.1.1.5 If "Embedded in another survey", please indicate which other survey. In case both options were ticked, please describe here separately the approach for PARTIC, TRIPS, SDVOUT


18.1.2. Population frame

18.1.2.1 Population frame Population register
18.1.2.2 Update of population frame Monthly
18.1.2.3 If other frequency or additional comments, please specify
18.1.2.4 Coverage errors of population frame

Negligible, see 13.3


18.1.3. Gross sample size (year, individuals)

18.1.3.1 Gross sample size for trips (= 13.3.2.1 + 13.3.2.2)

36791
18.1.3.2 Gross sample size for participation in tourism

Idem
18.1.3.3 Gross sample size for (outbound) same-day visits

Idem
18.1.3.4 Additional comments

The data for trips, participation, and same-day visits were collected together in the same questionnaire.


18.1.4. Net sample size (year, individuals)

18.1.4.1 Net sample size for trips (= 13.3.2.2 – 13.3.2.7)

7951
18.1.4.2 Net sample size for participation in tourism

Idem
18.1.4.3 Net sample size for (outbound) same-day visits

Idem
18.1.4.4 Additional comments

See 18.1.3.4.


18.1.5. Sampling design

18.1.5.1 Sampling design Systematic sampling
Random sampling
Two-stage sampling
18.1.5.2 If other or additional comments (also when more than one options is chosen in 18.1.5.1), please specify. Links to national methodology documentation can also be inserted here.

The sampling frame for that Statistics Netherlands uses for person surveys is the Dutch Population Register, which is updated every month.

For the Holiday survey, two-stage sampling is used.

In the first stage systematic sampling was used, which due to the sample size resulted in inclusion of all Dutch municipalities (municipalities were self-selecting).

In the second stage, simple random sampling was used to select a number of individuals (aged 15 years and older) from each municipality in proportion to its population size. The number of individuals that was selected from each municipality depended on the number of inhabitants of this municipality.


18.1.6. Second survey or source

None.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
18.2.1 Frequency of data collection Quarterly
18.2.2 Other frequency or additional comments
18.3. Data collection

18.3.1. Type of survey

Survey of individuals


18.3.2. Data collection methods

18.3.2.1 Data collection methods CAWI (computer-assisted web interview)
18.3.2.2 If other or additional comments, please specify. In case a combination of data collection methods is used, please give an indication of the importance of the different methods (in terms of number of respondents) 

The questionnaire could also be completed on a tablet or a smartphone.
18.3.2.3 Questionnaire in national language (Annex/Link)

CBS Vakantieonderzoek (CVO)
18.3.2.4 Questionnaire in English (Annex/Link)

Not available
18.3.2.5 Interviewer instructions in English (Annex/Link)

Not applicable


18.3.3. Proxy interviews

18.3.3.1 Proxy interviews Not applicable
18.3.3.2 If "Allowed" or "Only in exceptional cases", please indicate for which variables in particular proxy interviews were used (it not all questions); If 4. "Not applicable", please explain why.

 There were no proxy interviews


18.3.4. Average interview time (The average interview time is X minutes.)

18.3.4.1 Average interview time

11,6 minutes per questionnaire.

See annex for further details.
18.3.4.2 Average interview time for respondents that reported trips

17,4 minutes per quistionnaire.

See attachment for further details.


18.3.5 Second survey or source


Annexes:
NL_2024_Interview_times
18.4. Data validation
18.4.1 Data validation

The raw input data file is processed in a fully automated production process which delivers the files as requested by Eurostat. Our process contains the following steps:

- Records with implausible data are removed. If respondents deliver only implausible records, they are removed from the dataset.

- Duplicate trips are removed, and for trips that overlap one is chosen as the primary trip according to a fixed set of rules. The other trips are discarded. Duplicate and overlapping trips only occur with trips that are reported in adjoining quarters. Within the questionnaire overlap is not allowed.

- Data editing: implausible and missing values are corrected according to a specified set of rules. 

- Imputations of missing or implausible values of variables that cannot be inferred from other questions is carried out using fixed set of rules.

- Recalculation of variables that are constructed from other variables (for instance total expenditure is recalculated after imputation of the individual expenditure categories).

- Construction of a data file that conforms to Eurostat specifications.

 

In addition, in the questionnaire an answer is required for most questions, and controls have been built in which check the consistency of answers. If an inconsistency is found, the respondent is asked to check and/or to change his or her answer.
18.4.2 Second survey or source (In case a second survey or source is used for collecting data on participation, trips or same-day visits, please briefly describe 18.4.1 here in relation to those surveys/sources)
18.5. Data compilation
18.5.1 Data compilation

Variables with item non-response are edited. Missing (and in some cases also inconsistent) data are estimated by using several imputation methods. The used approach underlies the assumption that the missing values are linked to other characteristics of the trip. Once the editing procedure is completed, the data are weighted using a model with the variables gender, age group, migration background, income, province, degree of urbanisation, and position in the household.
18.5.2 Second survey or source (In case a second survey or source is used for collecting data on participation, trips or same-day visits, please briefly describe 18.5.1 here in relation to those surveys/sources)
18.6. Adjustment

Not applicable.


19. Comment Top

No comment.


Related metadata Top


Annexes Top