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Most people prefer a relaxing holiday to an active one

More than half (59 percent) of people say they prefer to choose a vacation where they can relax and take it easy. Just over a third (35 percent) prefer an active holiday where they can do or see many things. Only six percent are not sure which type of vacation they prefer. This is apparent from a study by GFK in 17 countries.

Internationally, there is no difference between men and women in these preferences. Men may be much more lazy in their vacation choice than women – as 60 percent of men prefer a relaxing vacation, compared to 58 percent of women. But for active vacations, men and women are neck and neck at 35 percent each.

In the Netherlands, 55% opt for a relaxing holiday, 36% for an active holiday and 10% are not sure. Women are slightly more likely to opt for a relaxing holiday at 57% and men at 52%. Dutch men are slightly more active with 38% opting for an active holiday compared to 33% of women.

In the Netherlands, the age group between 20 and 29 opts most for an active holiday with 45%, followed by the group of 50-59 with 39% and 15-19 with 37%. Those between the ages of 40 and 49 are most likely to opt for a relaxing holiday at 60%, followed by 60+ at 58%, 50-59 at 57%, and 30-39 at 55%.

The presence of children in the household appears to make only a limited difference between people's holiday preferences, compared to the international average. For those with children under the age of six in the household, or those with children between the ages of six and 12, less than two-thirds (62 percent) opt for a restful holiday and more than a third for an active one. For those with teenagers in the household, relaxing vacations are slightly less popular at 57 percent, while active vacations rise to 39 percent. Teens are most likely to enjoy high-energy vacations; Those in their 40s are the laziest people.