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Leisure and hospitality in the Northern Netherlands

If you’re eager to work with people searching for sustainable tourism, nature recreation, and cultural heritage, then perhaps a job in the leisure and hospitality sector of the Northern Netherlands could be for you.

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Restaurant De Pool Medium (2) (1)

From bustling restaurants, cosy cafes, to luxury hotels, the “horeca” (hotels, restaurants, and cafes) sector offers abundant opportunities across diverse establishments.

Drie Gezusters Groningen Medium (1)

© Marketing Groningen

In recent years, the northern region has distinguished itself from the mass tourism of the Randstad by offering space, connection with nature, and a deep respect for tradition. Whether it’s Groningen city as a cultural hub of the North, Drenthe’s 5,000-year-old dolmens, or Friesland’s island getaways, the area has positioned itself as a refuge for travellers seeking authenticity over crowds. This shift has strengthened the leisure and hospitality sector, encouraging sustainable tourism, revitalising rural communities, and creating a diverse landscape of jobs for international talent.

However, over the last ten years, tourism in these provinces has accelerated. In Friesland, for instance, visitor numbers have climbed sharply with over 2.1 million guests staying over in 2024, up from 1.6 million a decade earlier.

This sector is for you if you…

- Like working in a team
- Love working with people
- Don't mind being on your feet
- Would like to work flexible hours
- Want to practice Dutch
- Love food & drinks

Examples of typical horeca jobs

- Waiter/waitress/service staff 
- Dishwasher
- Pizza baker
- Poke bowl maker
- Runner
- Bartender
- Kitchen assistant

F&B as a gateway for international talent

Bars, cafés and restaurants form a core part of the Northern region’s hospitality sector and often serve as the first entry point into the job market for internationals.

Groningen city, in particular, relies heavily on international students to staff eateries and nightlife venues. Many workplaces operate partly in English, especially in multicultural areas or establishments serving tourists and students.

According to the UWV, over 60% of hospitality workers have flexible contracts. The hospitality industry offers a lot of work to pupils and students, who often work on-call. The number of jobs in the hospitality industry changes seasonally, with more opportunities opening up in the summer months.

💡 Tip: Spend a few minutes online researching the establishment you’re interested in. Most venues treat staff well, but there are isolated cases where internationals new to the job market have been exploited.

Companies and jobs in leisure and hospitality

Tips and tricks

  • Many roles don’t require prior experience, so don’t be discouraged if you’re just starting out
  • Try to pick up basic Dutch as quickly as possible to improve your relations with both your guests and colleagues
  • Vacancies in bars and restaurants don’t open too far in advance, but be quick to respond once you spot them
  • Some establishments might not advertise open positions online. If you’re in the neighbourhood, pop by and have a chat with the owner or manager about work opportunities

A warm welcome to your Northern stay

An aspect of working in hotels in the Northern Netherlands that may surprise internationals coming from tourist hotspots is that Dutch is often required for guest-facing roles due to strong internal tourism in the region.

That doesn’t mean hotels won’t hire non-Dutch speakers—but it does mean you need to be strategic. Always check whether the role explicitly welcomes candidates who don’t yet speak Dutch, and don’t hesitate to ask about language expectations during the application process. This helps you avoid disappointment and ensures you target hotels, chains, or departments where English is already the working language.

© Sebastaan Rodenhuis Fotografie

Back-of-house roles such as housekeeping, breakfast service, night audit, kitchen support, or operational assistant positions are commonly filled by internationals and can serve as excellent entry points. These roles allow you to gain Dutch workplace experience, build confidence, and slowly pick up the language on the job.

“I had already started learning Dutch before applying for this job. During the interview, the manager said they were looking for someone who was a bit more fluent but he asked me to keep in touch. After a month I improved my Dutch further and I let him know. He called me back and said I got the job”

Saha 2 (1)
Saha Basundhara Hotel host

Creating tomorrow’s hospitality leaders

Fueling the professionalisation of the sector is a robust network of educational institutions.

The NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, with campuses in Emmen and Leeuwarden, is a heavyweight in the industry. They host the European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI), a research centre that helps the industry navigate change. Their bachelor’s programmes in Tourism Management, Leisure & Events Management, and International Hospitality Management are taught in English and are highly attractive to international students.

The Hanze University of Applied Sciences also offers relevant tracks, such as its International Facility Management (BBA) programme. This English-taught bachelor’s covers hospitality concepts as part of facility management, including hotel operations, event planning, and service management.

Meet your sector ambassador!

Share your hospitality talent with inspiring F&B concepts and join the hospitality familiy in the North!

Jos Bartelds
Jos Bartelds Accountmanager Hospitality at Municipality of Groningen

💡 Tip: Looking for a full time career in hospitality? Send your CV and motivation letter to our friends over at Werk in Zicht via email to horeca@werkinzicht.nl. They will be happy to assist you!