Travel Trade News
Amsterdam is always in progress. New restaurants, establishments, attractions, etc. open every day.
Travel Trade Newsletter
If you want to be up to date on all the news in Amsterdam please register here for our Travel Trade Newsletter.
Travel Trade News Brochure
Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board has carefully compiled a brochure for the travel trade industry with the latest information about the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. Please click here to open the English Amsterdam Travel Trade News Brochure. A German edition of the Amsterdam Travel Trade News Brochure is also available.
Click here, to read the March 2012 online version of our Travel Trade Newsletter.
Click here, to read the November 2011 online version of our Travel Trade Newsletter.
Click here , to read the September 2011 online version of our Travel Trade Newsletter.
Click here , to read the May 2011 online version of our Travel Trade Newsletter.
Click here, to read the March 2011 online version of our Travel Trade Newsletter.
Amsterdam canal ring on UNESCO World Heritage List
Amsterdam’s 17th-century canal ring has been added to the World Heritage List, raising the total number of listed sites in the Netherlands to nine. This was announced by UNESCO on 1 August 2010.
Built during the Golden Age of the 17th century, Amsterdam’s canal ring comprises a network of intersecting waterways. The waterways were developed as part of the draining and reclamation of land. Their presence subsequently made way for the area’s characteristic canal-side estates and numerous monuments. In addition to the museums, tulips, clogs and cheese, Amsterdam's canals are one of the city's main tourist attractions.
Amsterdam 2013
With a wide range of festivities, including the 400-year anniversary of the canal district and the reopening of the Rijksmuseum, 2013 is promising to be a special year for Amsterdam. Please visit www.iamsterdam.com/2013 for an overview of all the highlights. Via the website, you can also register for the 2013 Special Newsletter.
High-profile hotels open their doors
In the last year, visitors have been treated to even more great places to stay as a variety of new
Hotels 2011
Canal House Amsterdam*****
www.canalhouse.nl
Conservatorium Hotel*****
www.conservatoriumhotel.com
Crowne Plaza Amsterdam – South*****
www.crowneplaza.com
The Exchange*-*****
www.lloydhotel.com
Hotel JL №76****
www.vondelhotels.com
DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station****
www.minthotel.com
Eden Amsterdam Manor Hotel****
www.edenamsterdammanorhotel.com
Hotel Notting Hill****
www.hotelnottinghill.nl
Holiday Inn Express - Amsterdam Schiphol***
www.hiexpress.nl
All Seasons Amsterdam City ***
www.all-seasons-hotels.com
Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam Sloterdijk***
www.hiexpress.nl
easyHotel **
www.easyhotel.com
Hotels 2012
Azimut Amsterdam****
www.azimuthotels.com
Fletcher Hotel****
www.hoteltorenamsterdam.nl
Ramada Apollo Amsterdam Centre****
www.ramadaapolloamsterdam.com
Ziggo Dome****
www.ziggodome.nl
art'otel amsterdam****
www.artotels.com
Andaz Amsterdam****
www.andaz.hyatt.com
Park Inn by Radisson Amsterdam Schiphol***
www.parkinn.com
Meininger Hotel***
www.meininger-hotels.com
Museum News
Het Grachtenhuis (Canal House)
In 2010, Amsterdam's 17th century Canal Ring was officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. That makes the new Canal House Museum (Het Grachtenhuis opening 31 March 2012) the perfect starting point from which to explore this unique area. The museum’s interactive exhibition recounts the four hundred year history of Amsterdam’s Canal Ring.
More information: www.hetgrachtenhuis.com
Re-opening Maritime Museum
After a four-year renovation, Het Scheepvaartmuseum (National Maritime Museum) has once again opened its doors to the public on 2 October 2011. The 17th century complex houses one of the world's biggest collections of nautical art and artefacts and visitors can experience the sea stories of yesterday and today. There are special exhibits for children on whaling, the Port of Amsterdam and the Golden Age. And the replica of the Dutch East Indiaman the Amsterdam, docked alongside the quay, is perhaps the museum’s biggest attraction, literally and figuratively.
More information: www.scheepvaartmuseum.nl
Amsterdam Museum
The new permanent display Amsterdam DNA in the modernised Amsterdam Museum tells the story of the city. In less than one hour, you can read, hear and taste what has made Amsterdam what it is today. Children aged 4 through 10 can enjoy the new feature Het Kleine Weeshuis (The Little Orphanage).
More information: www.amsterdammuseum.nl
Stedelijk Museum
In September 2012, Amsterdam's premier institution for modern and contemporary art and design, the Stedelijk Museum, will be reopening both its renovated historic building as well as its spectacular new building, designed by Benthem Crouwel Architects. Until the reopening, the museum will be presenting an event series created in close collaboration with other institutions in Amsterdam. Titled Temporary Stedelijk 3: Stedelijk @, the series consists of performances, film screenings, lectures, discussions, public interviews, musical performances, book presentations, interactive happenings and more.
More information: www.stedelijk.nl
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is the largest and most important museum of the Netherlands with a collection of nearly 1 million objects, including many masterpieces. Perhaps the most famous painting is Rembrandt's Night Watch. The Rijksmuseum is currently being thoroughly renovated, but is still accessible to you and your clients. After the renovation, beautiful features such as the wall and ceiling decorations by architect Pierre Cuypers will become visible again. In the meantime, the museum will remain open. The highlights of the 17th century will be on show under the title The Masterpieces. The reopening of the entire building is scheduled for 2013.
More information: www.rijksmuseum.nl
Floating Dutchman, the most splashing way to see Amsterdam
It's a boat, it's a bus... it's the Floating Dutchman! Boat company Rederij Lovers launched Amsterdam's very own amphibious bus in 2011. Travellers can now experience Amsterdam 'with a splash'. The tour departs daily from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and takes you right through the city centre and along some of Amsterdam's most spectacular sights in approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Perfect for daytrippers with a tight schedule or travellers with a long layover at the airport.
More information: www.floatingdutchman.nl
Temporary move of 75 world-class pieces from the Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is to undergo renovations from the end of September 2012 until April 2013. During this period, approx. 75 paintings by van Gogh and other works on paper are to be presented in the Hermitage Amsterdam. The temporary exhibition of Van Gogh’s masterpieces will be on display together with the autumn exhibition 2012 of the Hermitage that features impressionists. And so the joint exhibitions are an important highlight for art-lovers from home and abroad. Please contact the following email address if you have any questions sales@vangoghmuseum.nl
More information: www.vangoghmuseum.nl
Ajax Experience
The new Ajax Experience is an interactive and innovative journey into the philosophy of the Amsterdam soccer club Ajax. It takes you on a tour through the rich history and highlights of this famous soccer club. The visitor will learn what makes Ajax an internationally unique soccer club and experience how 'Ajax creates heroes'. It takes a lot to become one of those heroes and every aspect of this journey will be covered.
More information: www.ajaxexperience.nl
OP ART Museum
In the new OP ART Museum you can experience what it's like to be misled by your own eyes and you can admire different kinds of optical phenomena and illusions. Nothing is what it seems, or is it?
More information: www.op-artmuseum.com
Amsterdam Tattoo Museum
Tribal tradition, sailor's souvenir, individualist's expression, rock 'n' roll accessory, fashion item: the tattoo is all that and more. But, most importantly, it's an art form. And where better to honour this with its own museum than in Amsterdam? The Amsterdam Tattoo Museum strives to be a home for the art, culture and history of tattooing. Tattoo legend Henk Schiffmacher is the driving force behind this new museum.
More information: www.amsterdamtattoomuseum.com
New location EYE
In April 2012, the EYE Film Institute Netherlands will be moving into a new, futuristic location on the IJ river, just across from Amsterdam Central Station. Here, the institute plans to expand itself into an inspiring cultural meeting point. The new building houses four modern screening rooms and there is plenty of space for exhibitions, educational activities and meetings. In summer, the sunny, water-side terrace is the perfect spot to unwind. All year round, EYE organises film-focused events, such as outdoor performances, festivals, exhibitions, retrospectives, lectures, debates and educational programs.
More information: www.eyefilm.nl
De Appel arts centre in heart of Amsterdam
For years now, de Appel arts centre has been serving the city as an important hub for contemporary art from its location next to the Stedelijk Museum. But on May 12, 2012, the museum will be opening its doors on a new location at 142 Prince Hendrikkade with an exhibition called "Topsy Turvy". The opening is set to be a multimedia event including painting, film and performances. The exhibition focuses on the masquerade that is carnival, with its adaptation of different identities, and will run till 23 September.
More information: www.deappel.nl
New at Madame Tussaud’s
As the house of celebrity, Madame Tussaud's is getting a real facelift, with innovation and interaction taking centre stage. The Golden Age exhibit on the fourth floor has been replaced by a series of themed areas focusing on Dutch history and the Dutch Royal Family. A veritable 'A-list party' with all the biggest stars will be on show in the central room. At the Queen Beatrix statue, visitors will be able to dress up and sit down on the throne, and the celebrity sets are the perfect backdrops for personal photo shoots. All of this is set to further add to the Madame Tussaud experience.
More information: www.madametussauds.nl
New Cobra sculpture garden at Kasteel Keukenhof
This spring, Kasteel Keukenhof in Lisse plans to unveil the new Cobra sculpture garden ‘Cobra in the Open’. Organised by the Cobra Museum for Modern Art in Amstelveen, this year will be the first of three outdoor sculpture exhibitions at Keukenhof, showing mainly pieces that have been created specifically for display in a natural environment. Called ‘Hof van Appel’, the exhibition will run from 22 March - 21 October 2012 and feature twenty large sculptures by Karel Appel.
More information: www.cobra-museum.nl
More News
The I amsterdam City Card is your key to Amsterdam
Visiting world-class museums such as the Van Gogh Museum and Hermitage, a cruise through the charming canals and unlimited use of the GVB public transport. All for free or with a significant discount. In 2012 two large museums open their doors; Stedelijk Museum and the EYE Film Institute both free to visit for I amsterdam City Card holders. The Zaanse Schans area has expanded with two new museums, many hotel-restaurants are included with 25% discount and several attractions have been added such as the brand new DeLaMar Theater. In total 120 amazing offers to benefit from.
The I amsterdam City Card is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours at €40, €50 or €60 respectively and offers free admission to over 40 museums in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, free public transport on GVB lines, a free canal cruise and a 25% discount on plenty of other attractions and restaurants.
Retailers, tour operators, travel agents, congress organisers and meeting planners will receive € 3 commission on the 24 hours card, € 6 on the 48 hours card and € 7 on the 72 hours card. For information on ordering the I amsterdam City Card please contact the ATCB Servicecenter: servicecenter@atcb.nl or +31 (0)20 201 88 05.
More information: www.iamsterdamcard.com
Shops, a museum, a library and now a park - Schiphol's airport city grows again
Done your shopping and seen the branch of Amsterdam's famous Rijksmuseum in the departure lounge and the library next to it? The airport now has opened the world's first 'Airport Park'. The new park, just behind the airport's D Gates, is designed to bring a breath of fresh air to Schiphol's world-weary passengers, offering an environment of "peace and greenery". Schiphol - Amsterdam Airport Schiphol received the "ACI EUROPE Best Airport award 2011" (Airport Council International) in the category "more than 25 million passengers" and is the number 1 Top airports for shopping - Today Luxury Travel 2011.
More information: www.schiphol.com
Amsterdam Metropolitan Area Travel Trade Toolkit
A free toolkit with information on the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has been especially designed for the travel industry. The toolkit contains illustrations, film clips, photographs and text in several languages. You can order the toolkit for free by sending an e-mail to trade@iamsterdam,com.
More information: www.iamsterdam.com/metropolitanarea
400 years Beemster Polder
In 2012 the Beemster Polder, situated close to Amsterdam, will exist for 400 years. The Beemster Polder offers culture, history and nature, but also rugged traditional farmhouses with their pyramid-shaped roofs, unique museums, a historical church and especially the typical North Holland landscape. The Beemster Polder is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list and is definitely worth a visit. During the year all kinds of festivities will be organised on the theme of this 400th anniversary.
More information: www.400jaarbeemster.nl
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