The organisation

In 1952, the Efteling Naturepark Foundation opened a wonderful place full of fairytales, sagas and legends. Familiar, but also new stories that invite to discover and experience. Stories that provide comfort and - perhaps more importantly - also connection.

Connecting always remains relevant in a society where contradictions exist and we sometimes don't seem to understand each other. Be it the differences between man and nature, young and old, alone and together, rich and poor, we all have different backgrounds. Stories are the most important connecting force in people's lives. They enrich our perspective and bring us closer together.

True connection starts with respectful interaction, being able to understand one another and wanting to comprehend. What better way to do this than by experiencing stories in which we recognise ourselves and with which we can inspire each other? This is exactly what has been happening for over seventy years in the World of Efteling. Here, fairytales are heard and stories are shared.

To provide a place of connection, it is important that everyone feels welcome, regardless of physical, financial or social constraints. We take our social responsibility seriously and are visibly and actively committed to this.

The Efteling Nature Park Foundation forms the basis for Efteling, which opened the Fairytale Forest in 1952. In 1985, Efteling became a private company with the Foundation as its sole shareholder. The majority of the profits made still flow back to the World of Efteling, so that it can continue to exist independently. The aim of the Foundation is: to provide and maintain recreational and leisure facilities and to promote tourism. The Foundation acts as a keeper of fairytales and guardian of the heritage.

Today, Efteling has grown into an international destination with five million guests per year. The dreams are still the same as they were back then; in everything we do, we let our guests escape from their hectic everyday lives and discover wonder. In the years to come, Efteling will focus on quality and guest experience. By 2030, Efteling aspires to be the only theme park resort in Europe scoring 9+ from visitors who are captivated by Efteling’s natural and enchanting surroundings. To achieve this, the focus will be on experience concepts, employees, technology, cooperation and sustainability. Read more about Efteling's vision for 2030 >

Efteling often wins prizes. For instance, for years Efteling has been voted as one of the best in the Dutch Motorist Association's (ANWB) 'Best Day Out in the Netherlands'. In 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2024 Efteling even came in first place. Moreover, in 2017 and 2018 Efteling was declared the best theme park in the world by an international website about theme parks, Theme Park Insiders. Review website TripAdvisor declared Efteling the ‘2017 Travellers’ Choice Park’. Furthermore, the ‘Most customer-friendly employee of 2017’ also worked in Efteling.