Direction: Fill in each blank
with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note
that there is one word more than you need
|
A. outdated B. polish
C. struggling D. historically E. exchange F. promotional
G. stylized H.
floods I. witnesses J. interchangeably K. declining
|
Why
Dutch Officials Want You to Forget the Country of Holland
The
Dutch nation has long been dealing with its identity crisis. For decades, the
government used "Holland" and "the Netherlands'' {#blank#}1{#/blank#}to describe the country known for
its iconic canals, tulip (郁金香)fields and windmills.
Rut
starting from Jan, I, all official government communications and{#blank#}2{#/blank#}materials will use the Netherlands
as its name.
The
government has been working on a campaign that might{#blank#}3{#/blank#}the country's image in the face of
growing international competition for the past 18 months, said Ingrid de Beer,
the head of the public diplomacy section in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Our international image faces some challenges," she said. Research
showed that many people do not know of the Netherlands or have {#blank#}4{#/blank#}concepts of the country. Young
people, particularly those in countries farther away, are unfamiliar with the
country.
The
Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of 12 provinces, two of which — Noord
(North) Holland and Zuid (South) Holland make up Holland. Amsterdam, which {#blank#}5{#/blank#}about) 9 million travelers
annually, and Keukenhof, one of the world's largest flower gardens and a
popular attraction, are both in the Holland region.
The
country's tourism board,{#blank#}6{#/blank#}to
handle millions of tourists, stopped promoting its most famous attractions in
favor of trying to encourage travelers to go to lesser-known destinations,
according to a 2019 report. By 2030. the report predicted, the Netherlands
could see {#blank#}7{#/blank#}of up to 42 million tourists - an
enormous number for a country of 17 million.
The
region of Holland has{#blank#}8{#/blank#}contributed
the most to the country's economy and wealth, resulting in its name commonly
being used to indicate the entire country.
But
not anymore, the Dutch government insists. "We are fully aware that
internationally, a strong image of the Netherlands contributes to achieving
political objectives, promoting trade, attracting talent, investment and
tourists and encouraging cultural and scientific {#blank#}9{#/blank#}," Ms. de Beer said.
Part
of the campaign includes an updated logo, a "NL"{#blank#}10{#/blank#}to look like an orange-tulip,
according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The logo replaces the "Holland
tulip/ which was created by the tourism board 25 years ago and used to promote
the country.
