With the summer holiday approaching, RMC takes a look at our Beach Index. In addition to our traffic counts in shopping areas, we also have sensors at nature reserves and beaches. Our beach counters provide the data for the Beach Index, offering insights into the crowd dynamics at Dutch beaches and how these adapt daily to weather conditions.

Typically, beach crowds gradually increase throughout the year, peaking in summer before tapering off. However, this pattern is significantly influenced by the weather. For example, last year, week 33 in August and week 36 in September were the busiest weeks on Dutch beaches, thanks to exceptionally warm summer weather. But due to the mild spring of 2023, we also saw crowded beaches in May and June. Recently, with more variable, and especially rainy weather, beach crowds have been quieter. In week 23 this year, it was 41% quieter compared to the same period in 2023.

The Beach Index also shows clear spikes during public holidays. The busiest week of 2024 so far was week 19, during Ascension Day. Two weeks later, during the Pentecost weekend, we saw another surge in crowd levels. A similar trend was observed last year during the Christmas period, where beach crowds increased by 76% during the week of Christmas compared to the previous week.

The pattern is clear: beach crowds are strongly influenced by the weather and public holidays. At RMC, we continue to closely monitor these trends to provide you with up-to-date insights into the dynamics of our beaches. A subscription to the Beach Index is available in various licensing options. Please inquire about the possibilities.