Amsterdam wants to make a new image prepares for a new revolution in the city’s habits and customs. In fact, at the behest of the municipal administration, a new and ambitious plan of crack down on tourism harassment which provides among other things goodbye to coffeeshops and weekend cannabisthat is, on the days of greater tourist affluence.
For now it is a proposal, which will soon be presented to the municipal council for collective discussion, but the intentions of the municipalities are clear.
The idea is actually part of a larger project aimed at cleaning the city of the low-level tourism it has long been famous for. Among other things, it is planned to limit stag parties with the early closure of bars and clubs but also stricter measures for brothels in its infamous red light district.
The project, which aims to relaunch a more cultural tourismit was announced on wednesday by the administration of the city of amsterdam that it will launch a new communication campaign starting next year.
In detail, the campaign will try to discourage international tourists who arrive just to enjoy the city’s most famous services, such as marijuana or sexual offerings.
In fact, the plan calls for bars and clubs to have limited opening hours. closing at 2 am, while for prostitution in the red light district stricter opening hours are envisaged. Smoking marijuana or drinking alcohol would also be prohibited in some areas of the city. while for me coffee shop would pop ban on sales from 4pm from Thursday to Sunday afternoon.
Other measures include stricter rules on Airbnb and short-term rentals, such as a tourist tax during peak hours.
Initially, Mayor Femke Halsema had even considered the possibility of completely prohibiting the sale of marijuana to foreign tourists, but later the hypothesis faded. “This is an important step towards discouraging drug use, ending Amsterdam’s status as a drug capital and reclaiming the city centre,” he said.
“If we love the city, we have to act now,” said Sofyan Mbarki, deputy mayor of Amsterdam, adding: “It was clear that everyone cares about the city and that action is needed to tackle overcrowding.”
Mbarki said the government had spoken to residents, businesses, experts and interest groups and concluded that the amount of low-level tourism must be urgently reduced.
“Amsterdam is a metropolis and that means a lively and bustling city, but to keep our city livable, now we must opt for limits over reckless growth” he added, noting that the government has already committed to limiting tourism to 20 million visitors a year.
Source: Fan Page IT
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
