Amsterdam City Council has taken significant steps in its battle against over tourism. The council approved a proposal to ban “polluting” cruise ships.
This move comes as part of the city’s efforts to manage the increasing number of tourists flocking to its shores.
The council’s decision on Thursday marked a clear majority in favor of closing the city’s cruise ship terminal. The city’s Deputy Mayor’s spokesperson revealed that, investigations into the implementation of this proposal have commenced. Discussions with the managers of the North Sea Canal, councils of other cities along the canal, and the Dutch government are underway.
Amsterdam’s commitment to sustainability is the driving force behind this decision. The city aims to reduce the environmental impact of tourism. Members of the council emphasized that, polluting cruise ships are a threat to Amsterdam’s long-term vision.
With over 18 million overnight visitors expected this year, the city is experiencing a tourism surge. However, by 2025, that number could skyrocket to 23 million. Not including the 24 to 25 million expected day visits. The city’s Amsterdam Tourism in Balance ordinance stipulates that, intervention is mandatory once overnight visitor numbers hit 18 million.
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Earlier this year, Amsterdam launched a “Stay Away” campaign. The campaign specifically targeted young British men planning stag parties in the city. The aim was to discourage reckless behavior, excessive drinking, and drug use among tourists aged 18 to 35.
In addition to combating cruise ship pollution, Amsterdam is also taking measures to address other tourism related concerns. The city has announced plans to ban the use of marijuana on the street. It also discouraged alcohol consumption in the red light district. This is where legal sex trade takes place. Tours of the red light district were already ended in 2019. Majorly due to concerns about objectifying sex workers as tourist attractions.
Amsterdam’s efforts to manage tourism also include; restricting river cruises, converting hotels into office spaces, and imposing earlier closing times on bars and clubs. However, despite these measures, the Deputy Mayor’s spokesperson acknowledged it’s difficulty. He noted that, making the city center a cruise-free zone will be a challenging and time-consuming task.
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As Amsterdam marches forward with its ambitious plans, the world watches silently. Let’s see how this iconic city navigates through managing the pressures of mass tourism.
