Easter tourists heading for Netherlands; 1 million expected

One million tourists are expected to visit the Netherlands during the Easter weekend, 150 thousand more than last year, according to the Netherlands board of tourism and convention NBTC. Mainly tourists from the Netherlands' neighboring countries will visit this weekend, NOS reports.

Around two thirds of the Easter visitors come from Germany and a quarter from Belgium, the NBTC estimates. In addition, some 350 thousand Dutch people will also go on holiday in the Netherlands this weekend.

The NBTC especially expects crowds in the Bollenstreek, where fields of tulips, hyacinths and other flowers are in bloom. The Bollenstreek launched a campaign to keep tourists out of the flower fields. Museums are also expected to draw large numbers of people. Various museums are currently holding exhibitions dedicated to Rembrandt and the Golden Age.

Together tourists and day trippers will spend around 800 million euros during the Easter weekend, according to the NBTC. More than half of that amount comes from Dutch people going away for a day in their own country.

Public works department Rijkswaterstaat expects that the roads will be extra busy on Thursday, as holiday makers hit the road for the long weekend. Traffic jams are expected to start forming from 2:00 p.m.