Amsterdam has a problem with tourists. A regulation should ensure that the masses are pushed back. That's why the city is now saying "no to new hotels".
Munich – Amsterdam is fighting against mass tourism. The number of hotel overnight stays in Amsterdam in 2023 was 21 million, excluding overnight stays in holiday apartments, bed and breakfasts and cruises. That's why the local government is now saying "no to new hotels," according to a statement from the city administration.
City of Amsterdam sets upper limit for tourists
With the popular initiative “Amsterdam has the choice”, the city council only launched the “Tourism in Balance Amsterdam” regulation in June 2021. This popular initiative led to the government taking it upon itself to intervene when more than 18 million visitors a year come to Amsterdam. Since the regulation, the upper limit for tourists has been 20 million guests per year.
As the city explains in another statement, tourism in Amsterdam should not be a nuisance for residents. To curb this, the city has drawn up a list to counteract the development of mass tourism. The aim is to achieve a “balance between the number of visitors and the quality of life for the residents”. In the fight against the drug trade, Amsterdam's mayor also called for the legalization of two drugs.
Measures by the city of Amsterdam against mass tourism
“Fighting” “annoying” bachelor parties and organized pub crawls
Limit river cruises
Convert hotels into buildings with residential or office functions
Approval of new hotels only under certain conditions
Ban on new tourist shops
Restriction on vacation rentals
Closing times of restaurants
Smoking ban in parts of the city center
Image campaign since 2023
Due to the high number of tourists last year, the government has now decided on further measures to combat mass tourism. There was already a ban on new tourist businesses and a restriction on holiday rentals and new hotels. Now the city has once again tightened the regulations for new hotels. Hotel fees for tourists have also been significantly increased in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam fights against tourism: “New hotel can only be built under certain conditions”
The hotel policies were already strict. In 2017, only three plans for new hotels met the city's requirements, the administration said. However, new hotels are still under construction as many have already received their rights for them. 26 hotel startups therefore remain active.
However, things will now be particularly difficult for other hotel founders because the measures have been tightened again. “A new hotel may only be built under certain conditions if a hotel elsewhere closes,” said the city administration. The number of sleeping places may not be increased. The hotel must also be more modern and/or sustainable. Otherwise a new building is impossible. The city also recommends that hotel owners choose a location outside the center.
According to the city administration, Amsterdam as a “free and open city” was used for commercial purposes
The city explains that Amsterdam is known as a “free and open city” that wants to share its cultural wealth with visitors from all over the world. This freedom has been used for commercial purposes in recent years, according to the city administration. Companies "abuse the city's image and sell Amsterdam as a place of limitless possibilities," it said. This would give tourists the impression that everything is possible and permitted in Amsterdam. The measures are intended to help shed this image.
(bk)