About 6.8 million overnight stays were recorded at campsites and recreational businesses in Brabant up to the autumn holidays, as camping became more popular and holiday homes less so. Arthur van Disseldorp of HISWA-RECRON said the season had been good in terms of visitor numbers, although guests stayed for an average of only two or three nights. He attributed the shorter stays mainly to people spreading their holiday budgets across several trips.

The industry said demand was shifting from holiday homes to camping pitches, partly because accommodation in holiday homes had become more expensive. The tax on overnight stays in holiday homes and hotels rose from 9 to 21 percent at the start of the year, while the rate for camping did not increase. Campsite owner Joep Manders in Schaijk said camping was also attracting visitors outside the traditional summer season, although the availability of pitches was becoming limited in some places as more holiday homes were built.