Amsterdam bans new hotels to curb mass tourism
Euronews —
Amsterdam is banning the construction of new hotel buildings in its latest move to curb overtourism. The Dutch city is also limiting the number of overnight stays by tourists.
“We want to make and keep the city liveable for residents and visitors,” the local government said in a statement.
This means: no over-tourism, no new hotels, and no more than 20 million hotel overnight stays by tourists per year.”
Authorities also announced a limit on river cruises as part of the bid to reduce visitor numbers.
Under the local council’s new rules, construction of a new hotel in Amsterdam will only be permitted if another structure closes.
The new property cannot increase the number of sleeping places and must prove it will be more beneficial to the city – such as being more sustainable.
New hotels that have already secured permits are exempt from the ban.
Amsterdam’s authorities have also cut the number of riverboat cruises that enter the capital. In 2023, around 2,300 vessels docked in the city. By 2028, the local government wants that figure reduced to 1,150.
This restriction would slash the number of tourists visiting Amsterdam by about 271,000, according to national news site Dutch News.
The new limits are part of an ongoing drive against overtourism in Amsterdam which has also seen its tourist tax hiked, marijuana banned in the red light district and tours of sex workers’ windows prohibited.
April 2024
Photo _ Amsterdam ( Holland.com)
