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Amsterdam will stop selling cannabis at the weekend, curb stag parties and shut brothels early under plans for crackdown on ‘nuisance tourism’ in city’s red light district
- Plans are being introduced to curb nuisance tourism that has plagued the city
- The Dutch capital is wanting to reframe its reputation for low-grade tourism
- Amsterdam’s residents have long complained about rowdy tourists in their city
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Amsterdam is cracking down on nuisance tourism as the city looks to stop the sale of cannabis at weekends, limit stag parties, and shut down brothels across its infamous red light district.
The Dutch capital is wanting to reframe its global reputation for cheap and rowdy weekends away in favour of highlighting the gems of its cultural institutions.
For Amsterdam’s 880,000 permanent residents, groups looking for blow-out weekends have caused havoc and annoyance throughout the city, with British tourists some of the most prevalent offenders.
The new plans for Amsterdam would allow locals to take back their city and clean up the low-grade tourism that it has long been famed for.
The Dutch capital is wanting to reframe its global reputation for cheap and rowdy weekends away in favour of highlighting the gems of its cultural institutions. The city’s red light district is pictured
The plans to clamp down on the nuisance tourism in Amsterdam were announced on Wednesday with the city set to launch a ‘stay away’ campaign next year.
The campaign would look to discourage international tourists who were only looking to take advantage of the city’s more notorious amenities.
Under the new plans, bars and clubs would have limited opening hours and be closed by 2am, as well as window prostitution and brothels in the red light district having stricter opening times.
Smoking cannabis in certain areas of the city would also be outlawed. Plans are currently underway to close down some of Amsterdam’s cannabis coffee shops, a particular hotspot for tourists. There is also an existing alcohol ban in some parts of the city.
The city hopes that this would particularly deter bachelor parties from coming to Amsterdam, with more measures targeting this demographic set to be introduced in the near future.
Under the new plans, bars and clubs would have limited opening hours and be closed by 2am
Amsterdam is cracking down on nuisance tourism as the city looks to stop the sale of cannabis at weekends and limit stag parties. A queue for a marijuana coffeeshop Bulwackie in Amsterdam is pictured
Other measures include implementing tighter rules on Airbnb and short-term rentals.
Owners of some holiday lets will be encouraged to turn them into homes for Amsterdam’s residents.
A tourist tax may also be introduced when the city is at its busiest.
‘If we love the city, we have to act now,’ said the Sofyan Mbarki, Amsterdam’s deputy mayor.
Mr Mbarki said the city had talked to residents, businesses, experts and interest groups and concluded that the amount of low-grade tourism needed to be urgently reduced.
‘It has become clear that everyone cares about the city and that intervention is needed to counter the nuisance and overcrowding.
‘If we want effective and forward-looking cooperation, both a long-term vision and appropriate measures are needed.
‘Amsterdam is a metropolis and that means a lively and bustling city, but to keep our city livable, we now have to opt for limits instead of irresponsible growth.’
The proposals to reshape Amsterdam’s culture will be put to the city’s council on December 21.
The city recently pledged to limit its tourism to 20 million guests each year. So far, it has already welcomed 18 million with many more expected over the Christmas period.