Today, KLM CEO Peter Hartman and former Dutch top model Frederique van der Wal presided at the official naming ceremony of the KLM tulip. They were accompanied by Minister for Foreign Trade, Frank Heemskerk. The ceremony took place in the Keukenhof Gardens. The new hybrid is called ‘Tulipa KLM’ and can be ordered online at www.klm.com.

This year, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is celebrating its 90th anniversary. And, as the Keukenhof is now 60 years old, the idea arose to name a special tulip after KLM. But, these organisations share more than just longevity. Both are also renowned Dutch institutions and both are active on the world stage. Many KLM passengers visit the Keukenhof every year. With visitors averaging around 800,000 in just two months, the gardens rank among the Netherlands’ top tourist attractions.

KLM CEO Peter Hartman is very pleased with the KLM tulip. “Breeding a new variety of flower is a longterm and highly innovative process,” Mr Hartman said. These traits resemble KLM itself. Not only is this the oldest airline still operating under its original name; innovation is also central to our processes and has been for the last ninety years.” Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade, Frank Heemskerk emphasised KLM’s economic importance to the flower industry. “KLM’s success as an airline echoes the wider success of the Dutch logistics industry. The Netherlands is rightly called the Gateway to Europe, because it connects Europe’s 500 million consumers with the world’s markets”, he said.

Frederique van der Wal, current owner of the lifestyle and flower collection, ‘Frederique’s Choice’, was invited to join in the naming ceremony together with Mr Hartman. KLM is glad to associate itself with Dutch enterprises working on the world stage and applauds Frederique van der Wal’s initiatives in the flower sector.

Source: KLM