Every year, Amsterdam plays host to 22 million overnight tourists, a figure that an increasing number of locals believe is too high. The Dutch capital is a stunning city that Brits love to explore.
It’s like a perfect blend of various European capitals; with canals that remind you of Venice, cobbled streets akin to Rome, and the warm community atmosphere reminiscent of Edinburgh. Reporter Cyann Fielding had previously visited in her younger years but with only vague memories, she was excited at the prospect of revisiting.
Prior to Cyann’s arrival, she was aware of the city’s overtourism issues. She also knew that the city has been grappling with problems of waste littering the streets, but was surprised to see residents express annoyance at tourists purchasing hard, illegal drugs on the streets.
When Cyann arrived she discovered that numerous locals had also raised concerns about overcrowding, particularly from tourists disembarking from colossal cruise ships. But the biggest bugbears for Amsterdam residents seemed to be more parochial.
Cyann spoke to three different individuals who expressed their annoyance at a weird TikTok trend that is changing the neighbourhood, reports The Mirror.
Tourists from abroad flock to Van Stapele area to buy one particularly trendy cookie. Daily, the queue for this sugary delight obstructs the pavement, hindering other pedestrians in a high-traffic area.
The city has launched a series of initiatives in an effort to mitigate the repercussions of tourism, ranging from limiting short-term holiday lets, adding a whopping 12.5% tax on overnight stays – the highest in Europe – to banning large tourist buses from central areas and ordering earlier closing hours for watering holes and nightspots in its notorious Red Light District. From 2035, docking privileges for cruise ships will be revoked.
Authorities are determined to alleviate overcrowding through these strategies. While the tax might hit the pocket of tourists, the funds raised are earmarked for community efforts and tourism management.
Yet, the city is in pursuit of further measures to temper the tide of tourism. “We are putting a stop to hotel construction, there are no new hotels in the city centre so fewer tourists will be attracted to the city,” delineated Amelie Strens, District Mayor, during a DW interview.
“We are also looking to half the number of river cruises by 2030. It remains difficult to understand what else the city can do to reduce the number of tourists.”
In 2024, authorities halted the issuance of new permits for souvenir shops. The previous year, a ‘stay away’ campaign targeting youths aged 18 to 35 known for party-centric visits was unveiled.
Moreover, Amsterdam is advocating for resident-led boat tours as another endeavour to regulate the flow of visitors.
During her visit, Cyann witnessed the outcomes of local legislature in Amsterdam’s famous Red Light District. Surprisingly, it was quieter than she anticipated but retained a busy atmosphere.
Posted notices strictly cautioned against unlawful drinking and substance abuse. Still, skepticism remains regarding the effectiveness of such efforts.
Claudio, who works at the American Book Center, voiced his apprehensions: “There is a lack of imagination [towards tourism] and that comes from the authorities. They really do like to play into the surface level tourism – such as sweet food and weed.”
His observations did not stop there, touching upon the transient craze of the ‘viral cookie’: “It was nothing special but everyone wanted a selfie with a cookie.”
Floris, Claudio’s coworker, weighed in on a novel garbage collection program: “The rubbish isn’t seen as much because they now pay people to give in their cans. But you will see people rifling through rubbish to get cans, to get money, and it’s not just the homeless.”
In an effort to curb unruly behaviour last year, Amsterdam’s city hall launched the “Stay Away” campaign, targeting British males between 18 and 34, highlighting inebriated tourists in run-ins with law enforcement. However, when specifically discussing British tourists, neither Claudio nor Floris had harsh criticism.
Claudio summed up: “All cities are suffering with overtourism.”
Their censure laid at the feet of officials for failing to properly highlight the cultural offerings of the city.
Justin Francis, responsible travel advocate and co-founder of Responsible Travel, highlighted the delicate balance cities like Amsterdam must maintain amid waves of tourism: “Cities like Amsterdam are popular with tourists for a reason, they’re beautiful and historic and often unlike anywhere else in the world. But Amsterdam and other cities like it are people’s homes too and they have every right to enjoy living in them.”
He also delved into the paradox of overtourism: “What’s ironic about overtourism is that we visit a lot of these places for that feeling of authentic local life, but when local people leave, local shops close, and bars and cafes start catering solely to tourists, that wonderful cultural identity starts to fade too. The whole experience gets worse for everyone, both local people and visitors.”
To mitigate these effects, Justin recommends travelling more thoughtfully; for example, by prolonging one’s stay and avoiding short-term holiday lets such as Airbnb. Opting for an autumn holiday instead of peak summer can ease pressure on destinations, making the tourist spend more sustainable: “It’s great to get away from the main sights, too. A local guide can be invaluable in helping you explore a little bit more off-the-beaten-track where you’ll get more of an insight into the real Amsterdam.”
He further advised, “They can also help you support locally-owned shops and restaurants that cater to residents, so local people feel the value of your stay.”