Utrecht, 16 January 2024 - The Dutch have plenty of holiday plans again this year, so there was plenty of excitement at the Vakantiebeurs in Royal Jaarbeurs. The Vakantiebeurs attracted over 71,000 visitors this year. A growth of 9 per cent compared to last year. During the 53rd edition, more than 1,000 travel organisations, hotels and holiday destinations were ready to inspire visitors with travel information. The demand for personal travel advice was huge this year. Both exhibitors and organisers look back with great satisfaction.
A trade fair for professionals and travel-loving visitors
Tessa Hoogduin van Meerman Manager Campaign & Partnerships Corendon: "We ended the last day of the Vakantiebeurs with a very positive feeling. Not only was the event a good place to present the official change of our management, we also saw a lot of business relations, peers and, not unimportantly, our customers or potential customers. There was huge interest in our destinations especially Curaçao. 2024 promises to be a great year for Corendon." Hugo van Drie, Director Nordics also looks back with a positive feeling: "Scandinavia is hot and we knew it. We have spoken to so many fun, enthusiastic, travel-minded people who want to discover Scandinavia with us."
Marleen Rompen, Vakantiebeurs exhibition manager: "After five days full of travel inspiration and entertainment, the doors have closed. We enjoyed the full aisles, six exhibition halls full of adventure, the entertainment at the Dutch Travel Week festival, the happy faces of visitors, exhibitors and partners. As a team, we are proud of what we have put up and that we have grown compared to the previous edition."
Holiday fair visitors raise over 10,000 euros for the Princess Máxima Centre
Vakantiebeurs's 53rd edition raises over 10,000 euros for the Prinses Máxima Centre for paediatric oncology in Utrecht. Jaarbeurs is committed to the Máxima's mission: to cure every child with cancer with optimal quality of life. Marleen Rompen: "Visitors could participate in various activities, including the prize festival where people could win travel accessories, vouchers, day trips and even complete holidays. We will donate the amount raised and donations from the webshop to the Princess Máxima Centre."
Extra Vakantiebeurs Travel Trade Day in 2025
On Wednesday 10 January, Royal Jaarbeurs welcomed 8,150 travel professionals at the Vakantiebeurs Travel Trade Day, formerly the Trade Day. The number one networking event in the travel industry where knowledge sharing, inspiration and meeting each other live again took centre stage. The various theatres on the exhibition floor hosted interesting and high-quality sessions on, among other things, the latest travel trends. Marleen Rompen: "The changes in the travel sector and the developments in the world require the travel industry to take a new look at doing business. A future-proof travel industry requires cooperation now more than ever. Therefore, based on recent research among the travel industry, Jaarbeurs has decided to expand the Vakantiebeurs Travel Trade Day to two days. Simultaneously with the Vakantiebeurs Travel Trade Days, Travel & Tech, the new trade event focusing on digitalisation in the travel industry, will also take place. Travel & Tech promises to be the meeting place for travel professionals to explore the latest trends and innovations in digitalisation."
Vakantiebeurs 2025 will take place from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 January 2025 at Royal Jaarbeurs. The Vakantiebeurs Travel Trade Days will take place on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 January 2025 at Royal Jaarbeurs.
