This Week in the Netherlands

Published on : 30 July 2010 - 4:11pm | By Eric Beauchemin (www.rnw.nl/english)

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A 14-year-old Dutch girl is about to realise her dream of being the youngest person to sail single-handed around the world. Laura Dekker had been placed under the supervision of the child protection council last year. But a judge has now rescinded that order. Laura plans to sail to Portugal next week with her father before trying to become the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the globe.

Love Parade
The tragedy at the Love Parade in Duisburg Germany claimed 22 lives, including that of a 22-year-old Dutchman. 1.4 million people flocked to the biggest dance festival on earth, but the festival site had a maximum capacity of only 250.000. Hundreds of people from Holland had also travelled to Duisberg, including Anouk Smit and Linda Moser. Before they were able to reach the site, they had to pass through the only entrance and exit. The two friends managed to escape by following a police vehicle that made its way through the tunnel. It was only later when they spoke to their families that they realised the enormity of the tragedy. When the women saw the footage, they understood that they had narrowly escaped death.

Cheaper hotel rooms
Dutch hotels are facing falling occupancy rates. As a result the average price of a room dropped from 95 euros in 2008 to 90 euros in 2009. Tourists are still coming to Holland, but the number of visits by businessmen is falling. In addition, travellers are booking rooms at the last minute. Some visitors even think that they can get a cheaper room once they arrive in Holland. Major hotel chains are hoping they can turn the tide.

Scouting
The biggest youth organisation in Holland is turning 100. And it's throwing a huge 10-day party for 10,000 scouts in the southeastern city of Roermond. The jamboree is actually more like an ordinary festival, with boys and girls, plenty of sun and beer.

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