Especially in terms of water use, the tourism sectors environmental impact is relatively large. Between 2015 and 2022, the sector was responsible for 9% of the total drinking water consumption by companies. Additionally, it consumed 6% of biomass, mainly through food sales in the hospitality industry.

Moreover, 6% of the net energy consumption by companies was attributable to the tourism sector. Activities in the sector also led to 5% of greenhouse gas emissions during this period. Think, for example, of emissions from aviation and hospitality.

The tourism sector contributes relatively significantly to environmental taxes and levies, especially through energy taxes and excises.

Tourism Greenhouse Gas Emissions Not Yet at Pre-Crisis Levels

Tourism contributed much less to the economy and environmental pressure in 2020 and 2021 than in the period before the corona crisis. In 2022, the year the last corona measures were lifted, the added value of the tourism sector was 3.5% of the total Dutch economy. This is 0.8% lower than in 2018. Until 2018, the tourism sectors share in the Dutch economy was still showing an increase.

The corona measures had a major impact on tourist behavior and thus also on the sectors environmental impact. In 2022, compared to 2018, the environmental impact was lower for several indicators such as biomass use, greenhouse gas emissions, and particulate matter emissions. Biomass consumption fell from 7.2% in 2018 to 5.9% in 2022. While the share of greenhouse gas emissions was 6.2% in 2018, it fell to 5.1% in 2022. Particulate matter emissions decreased from 1.9% to 1.5% of the total during that period.

The tourism sector recovered in 2023. Its contribution to the Dutch economy then amounted to 3.8%. Thats more than in 2022.