Almost all Dutch holidaymakers occasionally exceed their planned holiday spending. Over 80% set a budget before departure, yet 85% overspend at their destination, according to GWK Travelex's research on holiday expenses.
As expected, women take the lead in budgeting. More than 85% of women pre-set their spending limits, and they track expenses more diligently than men (80.5% vs. 73.2%). Nearly a quarter of men skip budgeting altogether. Older travelers (60+) are less budget-conscious than younger ones (16-29), with 26% of seniors setting no limits upfront compared to just over 10% of youth. Overspending typically ranges from €100-500 (57.6%), under €100 (39.5%), or over €500 (3%). Culprits include excursions, dining out, and entertainment.
Most have financial safeguards: nearly 80% use debit cards with sufficient funds, 27% carry high-limit credit cards, and 26% extra cash. For security, 45% store money and cards safely (e.g., in a hotel safe), 28% distribute them across locations, and 17% restrict debit card withdrawals.
