Holland is the land of picturesque cities and streets, tranquil canals, colourful tulips, world-famous cheese, amusement parks and everything else that you can think of! Tourism continues to be a significant contributing element to Holland’s economy. The Indian market continues to be one of the most important contributors of international visitors into the Netherlands and the numbers continue to rise. The country recorded a growth of 31 per cent
in visitor arrivals from India in 2017, attaining a remarkable surge over the previous year.
The Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) has confirmed recording 67,000 visitors from India until May 2018, and aims to achieve even greater numbers. NBTC is expecting 2018 to record a double-digit growth. Direct connections from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru by Jet Airways, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines beginning operations between Mumbai and Amsterdam offer an even bigger opportunity for more Indian travellers to visit the Netherlands.
Beyond Amsterdam
Many do not realise how quick and easy it is to visit interesting regions and cities in the Dutch country that include the cities of Zaandam and The Hague, the village of Kaatsheuvel and many other regions beyond Amsterdam. Travellers can visit the city of Rotterdam and indulge in a food safari, exploring all the culinary delights that it has to offer. It has a dynamic food scene catering to every taste, trend, and price range. Restaurant owners here aim at inspiring diners with delicious dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients supporting local
suppliers.
No exploration of Rotterdam’s food scene would be complete without a visit to Witte de Withstraat, the city’s artistic hub stretching from Museumpark to the Maritime Museum. The galleries, theatres, and boutiques are interspersed with stylish cafés, including Cafe De Witte Aap and Bazar, a long-standing favourite, lit up in the exotic colours of a Middle Eastern souk.
If you’re visiting Holland in Spring, be sure to visit Keukenhof, where you will experience the gorgeous views of blooming Dutch tulips and other flowers for which Holland is famous. Keukenhof is the most famous and largest flower park in the world. Here, more than seven million flower bulbs spread over acres of land are planted every year. Gardens and four pavilions show a fantastic collection of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, roses, carnations,irises, lilies and many other flowers.
For those who want to delve deeper into Dutch history, the 250-year-old windmill park of Zaanse Schans is the perfectly-fascinating open-air museum. To witness an accurate impression of life in Holland in the 17th and 18th centuries, a visit to the Zaanse Schans is a must. Travellers can also visit the windmills of Kinderdijk and Schiedam (each an hour and a half’s drive from Amsterdam), Molen de Adriaan (a 30-minute drive from Amsterdam), or Molen de Valk, a 50-minute drive from the Dutch capital.
Travellers must also pay a visit to Efteling in Kaatsheuvel, a fantasy-
Mixing in MiCE While leisure travellers account for a significant percentage, the number of Indian students travelling to the Netherlands has also increased manifold. What’s more? The Netherlands is an ideal destination for MiCE groups. Ease of accessibility from India is the biggest advantage. The country’s compact size also makes travelling between the many Dutch cities easy, convenient, and less time-consuming. With a wide range of restaurants and hotel accommodations, from pleasant budget hotels to five-star accommodations, the country boasts an excellent convention infrastructure. A stable economic and political climate also makes organising and hosting conventions hassle-free. The Netherlands is a culture-rich, hospitable country. Its state-of-the-art infrastructure and excellent service facilities provide the perfect environment for MiCE travel.
Amsterdam has always been considered the backbone of tourism in Holland, with its network of historic canals, beautiful museums, and pleasant ambience. That said, it’s not all that Holland has to offer. It is a beautiful, charming country that attracts visitors from India and beyond, all year round. It has a host of less-visited cities and towns that are worth a stop.
To further strengthen its presence, Netherlands Tourism Office India is undertaking a number of marketing initiatives, some of which are:
• Joint co-op advertising with travel agents like Yatra.com and Mercury Travels
• Roadshows and one-on-one B2B meetings
• Training of agents in Tier-I and Tier-II cities
• Presence and promotions across social media
• Digital marketing
• Advertising in consumer publications
• Working closely with Jet Airways, KLM, as well as embassies, ambassadors, consul generals, etc., through joint initiatives Visit Holland today and experience the Dutch life!
