In a bid to tackle overtourism and ensure the city’s livability, Amsterdam authorities have announced a bold new policy banning the construction of new hotels in the vibrant Dutch capital, The Washington Post reports Ta.
The new measures outlined in Wednesday’s announcement will ban the construction of new hotels unless they replace older ones that have closed. Still, the new accommodation cannot exceed the number of beds in the previous accommodation and must be “better,” which means more modern or sustainable, according to the release. It is stated that it is possible. Authorities are also asking hoteliers to choose locations outside the crowded historic city centre.
The move aims to curb the overwhelming influx of tourists to the city, which is widely known as a destination with lax drug policies, legalized sex work, and an overall tolerance for hard partying. This was carried out as part of a series of initiatives.
In the Dutch capital, people can legally purchase up to 5 grams of cannabis. Cannabis is widely available in coffee shops and cafes throughout the city. The famous neon-lit red light district is home to not only prostitutes behind the windows, but also sex theaters, peep shows, strip clubs, sex shops, and a variety of bars, clubs, movie theaters, and even museums. There is also.
Historically, this has led to a steady stream of “unwanted” tourists flocking to the city in search of a night of free-spirited revelry, but in recent years local governments and officials have begun to discourage this type of destructive behavior. A serious campaign has begun to suppress it.
Last year, the City Council implemented a “Balanced Tourism in Amsterdam” policy, limiting the number of visitors allowed in the city each year, counting both overnight stays and day-trippers. Considering that the total number of visitors in 2023 was 20,665,000, the newly announced policy will tighten its regulations.
Also in 2023, Amsterdam introduced the “Stay Away” initiative. This is intended to deter certain groups, particularly “British men between the ages of 18 and 35, who frequently come to Amsterdam for this purpose” from taking part in rowdy behavior. They have stag parties and get wild and cause trouble for the residents.
Additionally, in hopes of discouraging unwelcome visitor behavior, the city has banned marijuana smoking on the streets of the red-light district, while reducing the hours of operation of certain restaurants and brothels, and enforcing some alcohol restrictions. imposed.
City officials also gave the green light to a proposal to relocate the cruise ship terminal, not only to address environmental concerns but also to ease congestion caused by hordes of tourists disembarking in the city center. . And just this week, Amsterdam authorities also announced plans to reduce the number of river cruise ships allowed to sail the famous waterway.
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