...the Dutch tourists' summer destination

Many Dutch opt to visit PH this summer

by Loui Galicia

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

 08/11/2011 

 

THE NETHERLANDS - The Philippines is the favorite destination of a growing number of Dutch tourists this European summer.

 

But who can blame them.

Howling wind and strong rain since July defined this year’s summer in Europe, forcing many to go abroad for their holidays.

Here in The Netherlands, many Dutch seem to have developed a weak spot for the Philippines instead of neighboring Italy, Greece or Spain which are the more popular summer destinations in Europe.

In fact, the Philippine Embassy has already received more than 140 tourist visa applications in July alone.

The number doesn’t include those who did not have to apply for a visa anymore because their stay in the Philippines is less than 3 weeks.

The Philippines is the favorite of a Dutch teenager who has already spent 11 of his summer holidays there.

This year, he has convinced his best friend to come with him.

“I'm bringing my friend to the Philippines for the first time. I hope he enjoys,” Dan Engels said.

For a half-Pinoy, half-Dutch, it is more relaxing to spend the summer in the Philippines than in Europe because of the former’s tropical climate.

Severo Friso van der Kreeft prefers the slow and quiet atmosphere in the Philippines than the fast and noisy club-like ambiance in some European vacation spots.

However, van der Kreeft finds his acquiring a dual nationality a little bit complicated, which is why he prefers to apply for a tourist visa to go to the Philippines.

“I have a Filipino passport but maybe it's better to travel Dutch to go also back to Holland, otherwise I may have to apply for a visa to go back to Holland,” Van der Kreeft said.

One Dutch has already helped promote tourism in the Philippines by inviting his Dutch friends every year.

Jan Engels brought 16 of his Dutch friends to Marinduque last year. This year, he only managed to convince six.

But the Dutch still think that the Philippines is really not yet discovered as a tourist destination.

“It still has to be discovered. But that's also because of the infrastructure, the bad roads, the bad ships, that’s why I think tourists will not come,” Jan said.

When it comes to infrastructure, the Philippines is very much behind in Asia so that it has now become necessary to improve and upgrade to attract more tourists to come.