Tolerate soft drugs throughout Europe, and the drug tourists would have no need to come here.

By jaycee | December 15, 2010 8:58 AM

Why kill the goose that lays the golden egg? Be honest in the fact that one of the only thing that attracts tourists here is coffeeshops. Close the coffeeshops and overnight you will have a nice quiet city because noone is going to visit. I am sure all the shop and hotel owners will be thrilled....

By Da Man | December 15, 2010 10:58 AM

Hoes is putting his religious and moral objections into political policy. If he does not smoke, that is fine but should not be allowed to eliminate this pleasurable way that some people choose to relax and have a good time. Anyone who smokes knows that when they accuse pot smokers of turning violent they are speaking out of their bottoms and nothing else. This right-wing group is going to destroy the Netherlands for all the good and enlighten polices of the past. This people are dangerous for the Netherlands and must be changed as soon as possible.

By alanposting | December 15, 2010 12:13 PM

Passes? Dutch passport no good then? Sounds like local guv looking for extra income again. The new unnecessary weed passes will not be handed out for free.

By The visitor | December 15, 2010 1:32 PM

@Da Man, actually Maastricht gets enough tourists and visitors who visit the city because it is a great city to visit. Maastricht doesn't need coffee shops to be attractive.

By pepe | December 15, 2010 4:16 PM

@pepe enough for what? Is Maastrict by itself enough of a tourist attraction in the context of dozens of other places just around it to remain attractive? And it is not strictly the Dutch issue - drug tourists are coming to the Netherlands because it is illegal elsewhere. Do not fix something which is not broken.

By madjestic | December 15, 2010 6:33 PM

Many people seem to think the tourism will keep on if coffeeshops are to close, well I have been working in horeca for years, from simple tourist pizzeria to classy hotel through upscale restaurant, and the reality is that most of the tourism is due to the softdrugs legislation/ prostitution. Even people that don't smoke, etc...come here just because of the NL reputation, some don't even know about canals before they visit, it is so naive (or overconfidence?) to think canals, terrible dutch hospitality/food/weather and Van Gogh will keep one of the highest hotel occupancy rate in EU on flow. NL is no Italy or french riviera. How many people are going to lose their jobs over this absurdity,

By Jules C | December 15, 2010 6:43 PM

Onno Hoes is only 1 month in the office and big mouth already? Gerd Leers has been in administration for 8 years and for a good reason. Let's see how long the new administration lasts.

By madjestic | December 15, 2010 7:17 PM

Well said Jules C. Finally someone who says it as it is. You should run for government, we need someone linked to reality to vote for.

By jaycee | December 16, 2010 8:58 AM

I love Amsterdam but without the coffeeshops I will go to California instead. Money lost, and I am not alone but money does not mean anything to religious zealots who have taken over the Netherlands, people and jobs are unimportant, they will cater to the richest people and give them all the tax breaks, just like the US, the legendary tolerance of the Dutch will go by the wayside as the conservatives ruin the country, except for the rich elite.

By George Pappas | December 16, 2010 12:43 PM