THE historic city of The Hague has made it into Cresta’s Cities and Short Breaks and Thomson Breakaway’s City Breaks brochures for 1999, as more operators see the potential for a spin-off destination from Amsterdam.
Cresta marketing manager Jane Williams said: “Amsterdam’s capacity problem is getting worse and worse and The Hague has the potential to benefit from the overspill.”
The city’s attractions include royal palaces, art galleries and a very laid-back atmosphere.
“The Hague has its fair share of work by Rembrandt in the Mauritshuis museum and clients enjoy its relaxed pavement society,” said Williams.
It is also a good base from which to see the rest of the country, according to Williams. “It is a 45min rail journey from Amsterdam, so it is feasible to stay three nights in The Hague, with a day in Amsterdam,” she said.
Prices lead in at £212 for three nights in four-star accommodation including flights to and from Amsterdam, return rail tickets to The Hague and breakfast.
Thomson Breakaway introduced The Hague in its City Breaks brochure, valid from October ’98-December ’99, and is targeting clients that have already seen the canals and museums of Amsterdam.
Product manager Sarah Lax said:”The Hague has as many museums and monuments as Amsterdam and is close to the indoor water theme park at Duinrell.”
Prices start at around £229 for two nights in four-star accommodation, including flights, breakfast and a return train ticket from Amsterdam’s airport to The Hague.
Along with the Netherlands’ oldest city Maastricht, The Hague is featured in Stena Line Holidays’ new Holiday Holland brochure, based on its fast ferry routes from Harwich to the Hook of Holland.
Stena Line product manager Steve Garnett said:”With Amsterdam being so popular, and demand outstripping supply for accommodation, we’re offering other cities in our programme as an alternative.”
The operator’s lead-in price for The Hague is £99 per head for two nights in four-star accommodation. Included in the package is a fast-ferrycrossing for a car and two passengers, and breakfast.
Last year, Travelscene introduced The Hague along with Delft and Rotterdam in its Cities brochure, with prices this year from £199 for two nights in four-star accommodation.
Crystal Holidays is also looking to introduce The Hague next year.
Product director Alan Betty said: “It’s on our shopping list. It has excellent hotels, good shopping and good food. It makes sense to look at new options when there is continuing pressure on beds in Amsterdam.”