Turkey is the most popular holiday destination among Dutch tourists, according to a poll conducted by the Plus Tour travel agency among 9,500 foreign visitors.

Dutch tourists -- the majority of whom are middle class -- choose Turkey because they regard Turkish people as very sincere, hospitable and friendly, according to the poll. Mehmet Tahtacı, a guide from Plus Tour travel agency, pointed out that 90 percent of Dutch tourists come to Turkey with their whole family. "Dutch people … enjoy their time in Turkey. Especially old tourists, who are far better treated and respected in Turkey than they are in Europe, can easily identify with Turkish people," he said.
According to Tahtacı, Dutch tourists on average spend 250 euros for a 10-day holiday in Turkey and 65 percent choose to go to Antalya because it is by the sea. Antalya is followed by Muğla and Cappadoccia, respectively, as the most popular Turkish holiday destinations. Tahtacı also said that 25 percent of Dutch tourists come for ecology, nature and/or archeology tourism.

Frida Duin, a dentist from Rotterdam, has visited Antalya 16 times over the past seven years, noting that she was planning to buy a home in Kaş, Antalya. She emphasized that Turkish people were very friendly, and that sometimes when she and her husband grew bored in Rotterdam, they came to Side and Patara in Antalya to feel at ease. "I feel at home when I am here in Turkey. I have met lots of Turkish friends over the past 16 years; they love to talk, they are curious and want to learn about us," she said.

According to information released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 156,768 Dutch tourists visited Turkey in 2007 and 416 Dutch people have settled in Antalya and its surroundings.

After Turkey, the most popular holiday destinations for Dutch tourists are Spain and France.

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