Netherlands - Tourism, travel, and recreation



Travel in the Netherlands by public railway, bus, and inland-waterway boat service is frequent and efficient. Principal tourist attractions include the great cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and the Hague, with their famous monuments and museums, particularly the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam; the flower gardens and bulb fields of the countryside; and North Sea beach resorts. Modern hotels and large conference halls in the large cities are the sites of numerous international congresses, trade shows, and other exhibitions.

Recreational opportunities include theaters, music halls, opera houses, cinemas, zoos, and amusement parks. Popular sports include soccer, swimming, cycling, sailing, and hockey. Foreign visitors rarely need a visa for a stay of 30 days or less; valid passports usually suffice.

In 2000, the number of foreign tourists arriving in the Netherlands totaled 7,736,000. Income from tourism reached $7.2 billion that year. There were 173,000 hotel beds with an occupancy rate of 49%.

In 2002, the US Department of State estimated the cost of staying in the Netherlands at between $159 and $270 per day.

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