Are you planning for your #2023TravelGoals? Or do you want a break from chilly weather and visit the tropics? We’ve got you covered!
Fun yet sustainable tourism destinations await you at the Philippine booth at the Vakantiebeurs 2023, which is currently ongoing in Utrecht. Vakantiebeurs is the most-awaited Dutch tourism and leisure fair participated by a large number of countries and companies all over the world!
The Philippine booth is manned by personnel from the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) Office Frankfurt, led by the new Tourism Attaché Dakila Gonzales and Ms. Michaela Muck, together with the Dutch travel operators Pangea Travel based in Arnhem, Undiscovered BV (The Hague), and Shoestring (Amsterdam), as well as the Cathay Pacific Airlines.
Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, who attended the opening of Vakantiebeurs on 11 January, called on the members of the Filipino community in Utrecht and other areas to visit the Philippine booth. “The members of our community will find in our booth the most competitive packages to the latest attractions in the Philippines. Bring along your Dutch friends,” the Ambassador said.
The Philippine booth is located at Stand No. 12.E087 (Hall 12). The Vakantiebeurs 2023 in Jaarbeurs Utrecht is open from 12 to 15 January (Sunday), 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Tickets are available at https://www.vakantiebeurs.nl/en/tickets-en/.
Mayor Sharon Dijksma of Utrecht welcomed the attendees, underscoring the importance of taking on the global challenges together. “By working together, we can go further,” said the Mayor.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra also encouraged the attendees to continue “travelling smart” and conveyed his hope that “2023 will be a big year for the travel industry.”
With the continuous easing of travel restrictions, inbound foreign tourists coming to the Philippines in 2022 reached 2,025,413. The Netherlands ranked 4th from the European market and 16th among countries with biggest share in PH’s tourist arrivals and major source markets.
The Netherlands is included in the list of countries whose nationals may enter PH visa-free for a stay of not more than 59 days.
Dutch nationals are one of the longest-staying tourists in PH, with an average length of stay of 14 days. In 2022, tourist arrivals from the Netherlands grew 10%, and 30% of them were repeat visitors. According to surveys, the factors most liked about the Philippines are beautiful sceneries/nice beaches (52.33%), warm hospitality and kindness of people (51.55%). Top destinations are Manila, Bohol, Cebu, Palawan and Sagada, among others.