Dutch news in brief, 10 January 2005

Foreign tourism on the rise

US and Asian tourists flocked to the Netherlands in the first nine months of 2004, the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC) said on Monday. The number of US and Asian tourists rose 10 and 20 percent respectively compared with the same period a year earlier. Over the January-September period, the number of foreign tourists increased by 3 percent. But the number of German tourists fell by 7 percent, news service AFP reported.

More illegal immigrants leaving voluntarily

Almost 25 percent more illegal immigrants and asylum seekers voluntarily left the Netherlands last year in comparison with 2003, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported on Monday. Angolans, Serbians and Montenegrins topped the list of those returning home, while the number of Afghans leaving the Netherlands doubled. Immigrants who co-operate receive financial help with the move and Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk raised the amount of money available last July, Radio Netherlands reported.

Injuries as storm rages across Netherlands

The southwesterly storm that raged across the Netherlands on Saturday resulted in several injuries and delays to airline travel, trains and the shipping industry. A woman was knocked unconscious when she fell from her bike in Leeuwarden and a 17-year-old German was injured when he fell 8m after the wind picked him and his hang glider up on the Erkemederstrand in Zeewolde. Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam was forced to only operate with one take-off and one landing runway, but the worst of the problems had dissipated by early evening, news service NOS reported. Train traffic between Deventer and Olst was delayed after a tree fell across overhead cables and train traffic in various other regions was affected by the storm. Ferry services between the Wadden Sea islands in the north were affected and fire broke out on a Dutch cargo ship off the Danish coast. All 15 crew members were rescued safely.

Uytdehaage wins European Speed skating Championship

Dutch skater Jochem Uytdehaage won the European Speed skating Championship in the Dutch city of Heerenveen on Sunday. The two-time Olympic champion finished 5th in the 10,000m, but still managed to capture his second European title. He first won the European title in 2002. Compatriots Sven Kramer and Carl Verheijen took silver and bronze respectively. German Anni Friesinger took out the women’s championship. Friesinger won her fourth consecutive title after finishing 3rd in the 5,000m.

Subject: Dutch news