In this article, we will explore everything related to Tourism in the Netherlands, from its historical origin to its impact on today's society. Tourism in the Netherlands has been a passionate and controversial topic over the years, generating debate and interest in different areas. Through a comprehensive and detailed analysis, we will delve into the complexity of Tourism in the Netherlands, examining its various facets and perspectives. From its origins to its contemporary evolution, this article offers a comprehensive view of Tourism in the Netherlands and its relevance in today's world.
Tourism in the Netherlands is a relatively small sector of the country's economy with a total contribution of 5.4% to gross domestic product and 9.6% to employment. In 2017 the Netherlands was visited by 17 million foreign tourists (with more than 5 million coming from Germany), making it the 20th most visited country in the world.
Most visitors staying in all forms of accommodation in the Netherlands on short-term basis are from the following countries of nationality with the majority of tourists coming from within Europe itself.
Rank | Country | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Germany | 5,190,000 | 4,628,000 | 4,283,000 | 3,894,000 | 3,495,000 |
2 | Belgium | 2,240,000 | 2,124,000 | 1,965,000 | 1,828,000 | 1,673,000 |
3 | United Kingdom | 2,195,000 | 2,043,000 | 1,967,001 | 1,857,000 | 1,680,000 |
4 | France | 825,000 | 784,000 | 750,000 | 725,000 | 680,000 |
5 | Italy | 565,000 | 525,000 | 543,000 | 503,000 | 461,000 |
6 | Spain | 445,000 | 445,000 | 432,000 | 396,000 | 395,000 |
7 | Switzerland | 285,000 | 264,000 | 271,000 | 256,000 | 231,000 |
8 | Russia | 175,000 | 130,000 | 152,000 | 196,000 | 203,000 |
9 | Sweden | 160,000 | 156,000 | 154,000 | 142,000 | 142,000 |
10 | Denmark | 160,000 | 144,000 | 155,000 | 141,000 | 144,000 |
11 | Norway | 125,000 | 115,000 | 132,000 | 125,000 | 127,000 |
Total foreign | 17,610,000 | 15,834,000 | 15,007,000 | 13,925,000 | 12,783,000 |
In 2017, the United States (1,414,000 tourists, a 20% growth from the 1,182,000 Americans who visited in 2016), China (364,000 tourists, a 22% growth from the 297,000 of 2016), and Canada (180,000 tourists, a 16% growth from the 155,000 Canadians tourists of 2016) are the major non-European homelands of international tourists coming to the Netherlands. The total of foreign tourists visiting the Netherlands in 2017 was 17,924,000, a 13% growth from the 15,829,000 foreign people who visited the country in 2016.