How it started
DutchTravelBloggers.com started as a simple idea: uniting Dutch-speaking travel & lifestyle bloggers for greater transparency. What began as a LinkedIn-fueled WhatsApp group, quickly attracted over 200 applicants.
Building trust
In the early days of Dutch Travel Bloggers, we built a trusted, high-quality community by manually reviewing over 200 applications. From this, 98 verified members were selected, creating a professional network of the most dedicated travel & lifestyle bloggers in the Netherlands and Belgium.
First collective action
In June 2024, Dutch Travel Bloggers united to publish our first collective statement, opposing new influencer regulations by the Advertising Code Foundation. We highlighted the unfair targeting of content creators, showcasing our commitment to fairness and transparency in the industry.
Re-opened for applications
In June 2024, the Dutch Travel Bloggers community reopened its doors for verification, inviting new members to join our growing network. The network grew to over 135 verified members.
Groundbreaking step to address financial issues
In September 2024, Dutch Travel Bloggers took a bold step by addressing an issue long kept behind closed doors: the financial struggles of travel & lifestyle bloggers. As a collective, we openly shared our challenges and called for change, advocating for fair daily allowances on press trips to ensure sustainable opportunities for creators.
Researching marketing landscape of the travel industry
In October 2024, we conducted in-depth research into the marketing landscape of the travel & lifestyle industry. Our findings revealed that while funding exists, it is often distributed inefficiently, highlighting the need for greater transparency and equitable practices.
Building our website and negotiating
In November 2024, alongside building our website, a select group of community members had talks about pricing within the community. In early 2025, fixed rates were established ensuring that content creators as well as brands, agencies, and destinations always know exactly what they are paying and where their money is going.
Launch Dutchtravelbloggers.com for marketing purposes
In December 2024, we reached a major milestone with the launch of our website. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for Dutch Travel Bloggers, combining the strength of our community with professional services. The website serves as a transparent platform, outlining our mission, advocating for fair compensation, and connecting brands with trusted travel & lifestyle bloggers. We are set to redefine industry standards and create sustainable opportunities for both creators and partners.
Dutchtravelbloggers.com goes premium
With more than 500 affiliated travel & lifestyle websites and a combined monthly reach in the millions, we’ve proven that bloggers and creators are not just storytellers – we are industry shapers. To keep the quality high, support more impactful collaborations, and offer real value to both our members and the travel industry, we moved to a premium membership model.
About Dutch Travel Bloggers
Dutch Travel Bloggers is the largest community of travel & lifestyle bloggers in the Netherlands and Belgium. We connect Dutch and Belgian influencers with travel & lifestyle industry brands, fostering authentic partnerships that prioritize fair compensation.
Founded by Chris Thomassen, a passionate travel enthusiast dedicated to driving engagement and reach for brands through travel bloggers and influencer collaborations.