TOURISTS have long been confused about the difference between Holland and the Netherlands – the two names that have been used to refer to the same European country.
But that confusion will end in January 2020 when the country plans to drop the name Holland.
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At the moment, its tourism website Holland.com, promotes the country using a tulip – the country’s national flower – next to the word Holland.
This will be dropped in the new year as part of a €200,000 (£170,516) rebrand according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
Companies, embassies, ministries and universities will only be able to use the country’s official name – the Netherlands – from next month.
According to SMH, the country hopes that it can update its international image through the rebrand and attract more tourists in a sustainable way.
As part of the move towards sustainable travel, the country is set to end cheap flights according to the paper.
The country’s Minister for Foreign Trade Sigrid Kaag added that the rebrand will also help showcase what else the Netherlands can offer.
The Netherlands is made up of 12 different provinces.
The word Holland actually only refers to two of these – Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland – and was used by the tourist board to promote the country around 25 years ago.
Why is the Netherlands known as Holland?
According to its tourism board, “Between 1588 and 1795, the area currently representing the Netherlands was the Republic of Seven United Netherlands.
“The republic was conquered by French troops in 1795 and became the Batavian Republic.
“Napoleon appointed his brother Louis as king in 1806, turning the country into a kingdom. The Netherlands remained a kingdom after Napoleon’s defeat.
“At that time, the area called ‘Holland’ made the biggest contribution to the entire nation’s economy and wealth. As such it became the commonly used name to indicate the entire country.”
The Netherlands has been increasingly cracking down on over-tourism and updating its image – especially in Amsterdam.
Earlier this year, Amsterdam proposed a ban on tours to the red light district.
The city previously proposed a ban on new shops targeting tourists.
