Amsterdam is groaning under the strain of hosting around 22 million annual overnight visitors. What are the Dutch doing to get tourism under control?
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Amsterdam has too many tourists.
00:02There were around 22 million overnight stays in 2023.
00:07So how does the city plan to combat over-tourism?
00:11Amsterdam's residents say enough is enough.
00:15This was a wonderful, small village.
00:18And now it's going to the dogs. So that's a pity.
00:23They should forbid to eat on the streets, for example.
00:26I think that's one of the biggest annoyments.
00:29People sitting on the street, eating on the staircases. It's just not nice.
00:34One of the most important is that we stop the selling of drugs...
00:39...in the coffee shops to foreigners.
00:42Dingemann-Koemoe is chairman of the citizens' initiative Het is Genoeg.
00:47Enough is enough. He wants the city to do more to combat over-tourism.
00:52Well, that is people coming from abroad.
00:55And they see on TikTok that here you can buy a special cookie.
01:03And therefore all the people are standing here in rows...
01:07...and waiting for hours. There is a lot of traffic here.
01:12And people who are walking here cannot walk quietly through the street.
01:20The city has already put many measures in place to combat over-tourism.
01:24There are now fewer short-term holiday rentals...
01:26...and the tax on overnight stays is one of the highest in Europe.
01:30Large tourist buses are banned in the city centre...
01:32...and bars and nightclubs in the red-light district must now close earlier.
01:35But authorities plan to do even more.
01:38Amelie Stens works for the municipality of Amsterdam.
01:44We're putting a stop to hotel construction, for example.
01:48There are no new hotels in the city centre...
01:50...so that fewer tourists will be attracted to the city.
01:54Now we're also looking to cut the number of river cruises in half by 2030.
01:59That will also take some of the pressure off.
02:02But it remains difficult to determine what else the city can do...
02:05...to reduce the number of tourists.
02:08The city acquired a number of buildings outside the centre...
02:11...which it hopes will benefit Amsterdam residents...
02:13...who no longer want to come to the crowded centre.
02:17With this housing transformation, we want to create multiple new spaces.
02:22It's really important to build new housing...
02:25...since so many residents are searching for accommodation in Amsterdam.
02:29We want to create a new concept that combines affordable housing...
02:33...with shops and restaurants.
02:34Of course, there are already many restaurants.
02:38But we want more businesses...
02:40...that also bring art and culture to the city centre.
02:44From the heart of Amsterdam, Red Light Jazz Radio.
02:50One such creative concept is this radio station...
02:53...which helps the voices of the Red Light District to be heard.
02:56This is basically a podium for everyone in the neighbourhood...
02:59...to express themselves.
03:02That's also why the location is called Taboo.
03:06Basically, it says there is no taboo. Anything goes.
03:10The creative campaign I Live Here...
03:13...puts the photos of Red Light District residents on windows and doors...
03:16...for all to see.
03:18The goal is to create an atmosphere of respect.
03:24Instead of focusing on the Red Light District's touristic party atmosphere...
03:28...the city wants to paint a more authentic picture of the neighbourhood.
03:32You can now take boat tours, guided by local residents.
03:40THE BOAT TOUR
03:45My name is Tommy Sherif.
03:47I am a writer, a storyteller, a theatre-maker and a filmmaker.
03:52I am from Egypt.
03:55And I am a political activist since 2007.
03:59A political refugee since 2014.
04:03Taking this boat trip gives tourists an understanding...
04:06...of the diversity of Amsterdam's residents.
04:09It's a boat that's been through really, really some bad moments.
04:14But then we make life out of it. We make art out of it.
04:17We make inspiration out of it.
04:22Amsterdam will always attract tourists.
04:24But the city hopes that soon both tourists and locals...
04:28...will feel comfortable in the centre again.
04:30And hopefully fewer tourists will head home with a hangover.