THE HAGUE - Recent research by the ANWB reveals that more Dutch citizens are opting for vacations beyond Europe this summer compared to last year. A notable 15 percent of vacationers are heading to destinations outside Europe, such as the Dutch Caribbean islands, the United States, Mexico, Thailand, Turkey, Morocco, and Egypt. 

This year, 73 percent of Dutch people are planning to go on vacation, a significant increase from last year's 65 percent. Within Europe, Germany and France remain the top destinations. However, due to high temperatures, some travelers are seeking cooler climates in either more northerly or southerly regions. 

Despite the rising popularity of international travel, domestic vacations remain popular, with 30 percent of vacationers choosing destinations like Gelderland, Limburg, and Drenthe. 

An interesting trend is the decline in interest in sustainable travel options. Last year, 17 percent of travelers indicated that sustainability was important and were willing to pay extra for it. This year, that number has dropped to 13 percent. Additionally, 26 percent of respondents stated that they place less emphasis on sustainability during their vacations in order to fully relax. 

Most Dutch people still prefer to travel by car (55 percent), followed by plane (32 percent), and train (seven percent).