Giethoorn receives thousands of international tourists per year. Most are from China and nearby Germany. [Photo/IC]

The Netherlands as a metropolis

Giethoorn's efforts are part of a wider initiative to promote the Netherlands as a metropolis.

"For international visitors, the distances in the Netherlands are so short that they're even comparable to distances within the world's major cities," said Jos Vranken, managing director of NBTC, which opened an office in Beijing 10 years ago.

Therefore, visiting different places within the Netherlands can be easily combined into a day-long visit. Visitors can have breakfast in Amsterdam, spend the afternoon in Giethoorn, and then dine in Delft.

During a recent visit to Giethoorn, Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp said he would like to see other Dutch small cities like Genemuiden, Ootmarsum and Diepenheim become magnets to Chinese tourists. As Ariaans put it, "we need more Giethoorns."