LISSE, Netherlands (AP) 鈥 Nestled among tulip fields not far from Amsterdam, the world-famous Keukenhof garden has opened for the spring, welcoming camera-wielding visitors to its increasingly selfie-friendly grounds.
On a sunny day, the paths, park benches and cafes are crowded with tourists taking photos and selfies with one of the Netherlands鈥 most iconic products 鈥 the tulip. Those kinds of pics, posted on social media, are what drew Austrian lawyer Daniel Magnus.
鈥淲henever you see the kind of pictures which were taken from an influencer, they make something with you. You get a new impression of new locations, traditions, people and so on 鈥. You want also to be there,鈥 Magnus told The Associated Press.
Magnus had just finished taking his own photos on a small boat, staged in one of the park鈥檚 canals for visitors to take their own Instagrammable images.
Staff plant and nurture a staggering 7 million flower bulbs to ensure visitors who flock to the Keukenhof from around the world all get to see a vibrant spectacle during the just eight weeks the garden is open.
In recent years, the garden has increasingly catered to the public鈥檚 thirst for social media content and created spaces where guests are encouraged to pose.
Selfie spots include flower archways, pink velvet couches and another Dutch classic - oversized wooden clogs.
The Keukenhof鈥檚 own social media channels have some suggestions about the best locations and the Dutch tourism board even advises on how to get the perfect tulip selfie.
鈥淢ake your image come alive and place the subject of your photo slightly off-centre. This will make your photo look more dynamic,鈥 the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions says.
The Keukenhof garden鈥檚 more than 1 million expected visitors don鈥檛 need too much encouragement to snap pics among the tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and myriad other flowers. The blossoms are meticulously handplanted throughout its manicured lawns by a small army of gardeners.
鈥淭here鈥檚 always something blooming. I think that鈥檚 the reason why everyone is happy. There鈥檚 also always something to see,鈥 gardener Patrick van Dijk told the AP.
Not everyone is always happy with tourists taking photos. Some flower farmers have put up signs and barriers to deter aspiring influencers from trampling tulips in nearby fields.
