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Amsterdam faces radical measures to reduce tourism, stop ‘theme park-isation’

May 16, 2018

The four parties negotiating to form a new administration in Amsterdam have published radical plans to tackle mass tourism and ensure the city’s residents have priority.

There is a real risk that the city centre is turning into a massive theme park and that has to be fought against on all fronts, the four parties say. Some 18 million tourists – both from the Netherlands and abroad – are expected to visit the Dutch capital this year.

GroenLinks, D66, the Labour party and Socialists are in talks on forming a new city council executive and have decided to publish part of their plans already.

The main points include:

  • An increase in tourist taxes
  • Permits for tourist guides who operate outside the red light district
  • Tougher rules for horse-drawn carriages, beer bikes and other ‘fun’ transport
  • A ban on coaches within the A10 ring road
  • Canal cruise boat terminals to be moved outside the city centre
  • A 30 day limit for Airbnb rentals and a complete ban on holiday rentals to tourists in some areas
  • The cruise terminal to be closed to allow the Java bridge to be built
  • A ban on ‘floating hotels’
  • Amsterdam Marketing to be reformed into an expertise centre for promoting culture
  • A ban on new branches of large retail and restaurant chains
  • More street cleaners and rubbish collectors

‘Tourism is part of Amsterdam’s international culture and we have to cherish that,’ the four parties say in the document.

Hier de balans-maatregelen op een rij pic.twitter.com/akdYs1C3iW

— Ronald Olsthoorn (@RonaldOlsthoorn) May 16, 2018

‘But the positive sides to tourism – the jobs and income for the city – are being overshadowed by the negative sides,’ the parties say. ‘A new balance is needed in which residents are central and visitors are welcome’.

The outgoing administration has already pledged to introduce some of these measures, such as a ban on coaches within the ring road and limits to Airbnb rentals.

Canal boat rental firms have condemned the plan to move their moorings outside the city centre. ‘It is not exactly practical,’ Peter Duwel, chairman of the boat operator association Vevag.

‘First visitors will have to leave the city to find a boat and afterwards they will have to walk back again.’

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