The lifting of travel restrictions and lockdown measures have provided an additional flow of guests for the Netherlands’ open hotels.

Regardless, the summer months are producing hotel performance well below historical averages.

In July, the Netherlands posted a 41.2% occupancy level, while Amsterdam saw occupancy reach just 27.7%.

Occupancy on the books

The Hague stands out with bookings for the coming weeks due to guest tendency to book at the last minute and thanks to leisure travel, especially from domestic sources. A perfect example—occupancy on the books (as of 17 August) sat as high as 74% for 18 August.

Unfortunately, cancellations continue to be prevalent towards the end of the year. However, even with a spike at the end of September and October, these cancellations are not as massive as the levels seen at the beginning of the pandemic.

Last-minute pickup on the rise

As mentioned, last-minute bookings are on the rise in the key markets in the Netherlands. Pickup for the next 83 days (as of 17 August) sat mostly below 16%. Rotterdam and The Hague saw the highest pickup on 17 August, 16% and 15% respectively.

At the same time, pickup for the rest of 2020 fell off due to continued uncertainty and increased capacity allowing for shorter booking times.

How about Amsterdam?

Amsterdam occupancy on the books for the next 90 days (as of 17 August) shows a gap between its submarkets. Weekends show the most noticeable corresponding boost to hotel performance. Amsterdam Centre occupancy on the books (as of 17 August) sat as high as 31% on 22 August and as low as 2% on 8-10 November.

July and August are usually the strongest months in Amsterdam, and while increases in occupancy on the books during the weekends in STR-submarket Amsterdam Centre are evident, Amsterdam Airport Schipol submarket occupancy on the books sat mostly below 10% due in part to domestic demand coming instead via cars and trains.

Occupancy-on-the-books intelligence will help pinpoint recovery and provide much-needed context.