In an effort to combat mass tourism, the Netherlands’ capital, Amsterdam, will no longer permit the construction of new hotels.
Such an announcement has been made by the local government on April 17, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
We want to make and keep the city liveable for residents and visitors. This means: no overtourism, no new hotels, and no more than 20 million hotel overnight stays by tourists per year.
Following the new rules, a new hotel in Amsterdam can be built, only if another hotel closes, if the number of sleeping places doesn’t increase or if the new hotel will be better (for example more sustainable).
However, according to authorities in this country, the new rules do not apply to new hotels that have already secured a permit.
Introducing Campaign to Discourage Certain Kinds of Tourism
In 2022, Amsterdam launched a campaign called “Stay Away” discouraging tourism.
The campaign came following Amsterdam’s liberal laws related to drugs, sex and alcohol creating a reputation that anything goes in this city.
In February last year, the Netherlands’ capital limited the use of cannabis to the Red-Light District and designed coffee shops to save residents from tourists who chose this city for drugs among others.
In December 2023, Amsterdam unfolded plans to relocate the Red Light district to discourage party tourists from the centre of the city.
Back then, the city’s Mayor, Femke Halsema, addressed a letter to Amsterdam City Council Members which consisted of a detailed proposal to establish a multi-story complex called an “Erotic Centre” outside the city’s centre and relocate their 100 brothels from the Red Light District.
The proposal among others notes that the window brothels would only be visible from the inside the building and not from outside, after they are currently exposed to passersby.
In the Amsterdam Accord 2022-2026, the coalition has agreed to reduce the number of windows in the Red Light District by relocating a portion to an erotic centre, offering sex workers more control over their work. The initial step is to select a potential location for the Erotic Center (EC). Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema
Research conducted by VisaGuide.World last year revealed that Amsterdam was selected as Europe’s best capital city destination.
The research was focused on what travellers value most when visiting a destination, last year. Amsterdam left behind other famous destinations such as Rome, London and Paris.
