Netherlands at Risk of Becoming a Tourist Trap and How Shifting to Domestic Production Can Save Its Tourism Economy

Published on September 11, 2025

Tourist destinations thrive when they offer unique experiences, local products, and a real connection to the culture of the place. But in recent years, some of the most popular travel spots, including those in the Netherlands, are at risk of turning into a tourist trap.

This growing dependency on overseas shoppers and imported goods could cause local businesses to lose their charm, and tourism could start to feel more like a transactional experience. In this article, we will explore how the economic dependency on imports threatens local tourism and why embracing domestic production could help protect the tourism economy.

Economic Dependency and Its Impact on Tourism

The Netherlands, especially Rotterdam, has seen its economy become increasingly dependent on goods and services from abroad. Rotterdam port, one of the busiest ports in Europe, handles massive volumes of imports and exports. While this is great for global trade, it has led to a situation where many local businesses don’t benefit from producing their own goods. Instead, they rely on what’s brought in from overseas.

This reliance on foreign products creates an “economic dependency” that doesn’t help the tourism economy grow sustainably. Tourists visiting the Netherlands often find themselves buying souvenirs and experiencing attractions that feel disconnected from local culture. Rather than showcasing authentic Dutch craftsmanship, many products are mass-produced overseas and shipped in, leaving visitors with little sense of what makes the place truly special.

The Problem of the Tourist Trap

When we talk about a tourist trap, we mean a place that feels more like a business transaction than a cultural experience. It’s when a destination becomes overly reliant on imported goods and services, which results in overpriced, low-quality products that tourists could easily find elsewhere. This kind of “tourist trap” experience can significantly diminish the appeal of a destination.

• Overpriced products: Tourists often find themselves paying more for goods that were mass-produced elsewhere, with little connection to the local culture.
• Lack of authenticity: If a destination relies too heavily on imports, it misses the opportunity to offer visitors a true sense of place. Instead, the experience can feel artificial or generic, lacking the unique flavor that draws tourists in the first place.

As places turn into tourist traps, the focus shifts from offering meaningful experiences to simply making a profit off visitors. This can leave tourists disappointed and unlikely to return, further harming the local tourism economy.

Can Domestic Production Help?

Shifting towards domestic production could offer a solution to reduce the risks of becoming a tourist trap. By making more goods locally, destinations can provide tourists with a more authentic experience. Tourists could purchase products that are genuinely tied to the local culture, such as handcrafted souvenirs, locally grown food, and regional art. This would create a deeper connection between visitors and the location, while also boosting local businesses.

Professor Frank van Oort, a noted economist from Erasmus School of Economics, suggests that embracing domestic production could not only benefit local businesses but also the broader tourism economy. While the transition to producing more locally might take time, the potential advantages are clear:

• Supporting local businesses: When products are made locally, it helps small businesses thrive and contributes to a more sustainable local economy.
• Offering authenticity: Visitors are more likely to appreciate unique, locally-made products that give them a true taste of the place.
• Lowering prices: Without relying on expensive imports, businesses can offer lower prices to tourists, making the overall experience more affordable.

Focusing on domestic production could help ensure that tourism becomes a meaningful exchange between the destination and the visitor, rather than a one-sided commercial transaction.

The Impact of Economic Dependency on the Tourism Economy

The economic dependency on imports doesn’t just harm local businesses; it also affects the broader tourism economy. When a destination relies on cheap imports to maintain its tourism industry, it exposes itself to external risks. Rotterdam port, for example, may be a hub for goods, but when global trade faces disruptions—whether from a crisis or political shifts—it can cause significant problems for local businesses that depend on these goods to supply their products and services.

• Rising costs: Imported products often come with added costs, which can make things more expensive for tourists. This can make a trip to a destination feel more expensive than it might be otherwise.
• Vulnerability to global disruptions: With tourism relying on global trade, any disruption—such as a shipping delay, political tension, or health crisis—can have a knock-on effect on local tourism. The inability to access key goods can lead to a poorer experience for tourists and affect the local economy.

As the tourism economy becomes more dependent on foreign markets, it becomes more vulnerable to these disruptions. For a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector, local businesses need to have more control over their production processes, moving away from reliance on overseas suppliers.

Innovation and Domestic Production: The Path Forward

While transitioning to domestic production may seem challenging, the Netherlands has already begun to take steps toward innovation in this area. Cities like Rotterdam, Delft, and The Hague are home to field labs focused on high-tech innovations, such as 3D printing. Rotterdam is experimenting with 3D printing of ship propellers, and Utrecht is using the same technology to produce medical implants.

These small-scale innovations could significantly reduce the reliance on foreign-made goods and contribute to a more robust local economy. If these technologies can be scaled up, they could support local businesses, reduce dependence on imports, and improve the tourism experience by offering visitors something unique and homegrown.

By embracing domestic production and focusing on innovation, the Netherlands could transform its tourism economy and move away from the risks associated with being a tourist trap. This shift could not only benefit the local economy but also create a more authentic and sustainable tourism experience for visitors.

Conclusion: Reducing the Tourist Trap Risk Through Domestic Production

The growing economic dependency on foreign markets poses a serious risk to the Netherlands, turning some areas into tourist traps. Over-relying on imports means that many local businesses miss out on opportunities to create unique, authentic experiences for tourists. Instead of offering locally-made products and services that reflect the true culture of a place, tourists are often faced with overpriced goods that have little connection to their destination.

By shifting towards domestic production, the Netherlands could reduce these risks, provide more authentic experiences, and support local businesses. Focusing on innovation and making more products locally would not only benefit the tourism economy but also create a stronger, more resilient local economy. With these changes, the Netherlands could offer visitors a meaningful, lasting experience that goes beyond the typical tourist trap.