Amsterdam tests new ideas to combat overtourism

DW (English)

Amsterdam is groaning under the strain of hosting around 22 million annual overnight visitors. What are the Dutch doing to get tourism under control?

Transcript

00:00Amsterdam has too many tourists.

00:02There were around 22 million overnight stays in 2023.

00:07So how does the city plan to combat over-tourism?

00:11Amsterdam's residents say enough is enough.

00:15This was a wonderful, small village.

00:18And now it's going to the dogs. So that's a pity.

00:23They should forbid to eat on the streets, for example.

00:26I think that's one of the biggest annoyments.

00:29People sitting on the street, eating on the staircases. It's just not nice.

00:34One of the most important is that we stop the selling of drugs...

00:39...in the coffee shops to foreigners.

00:42Dingemann-Koemoe is chairman of the citizens' initiative Het is Genoeg.

00:47Enough is enough. He wants the city to do more to combat over-tourism.

00:52Well, that is people coming from abroad.

00:55And they see on TikTok that here you can buy a special cookie.

01:03And therefore all the people are standing here in rows...

01:07...and waiting for hours. There is a lot of traffic here.

01:12And people who are walking here cannot walk quietly through the street.

01:20The city has already put many measures in place to combat over-tourism.

01:24There are now fewer short-term holiday rentals...

01:26...and the tax on overnight stays is one of the highest in Europe.

01:30Large tourist buses are banned in the city centre...

01:32...and bars and nightclubs in the red-light district must now close earlier.

01:35But authorities plan to do even more.

01:38Amelie Stens works for the municipality of Amsterdam.

01:44We're putting a stop to hotel construction, for example.

01:48There are no new hotels in the city centre...

01:50...so that fewer tourists will be attracted to the city.

01:54Now we're also looking to cut the number of river cruises in half by 2030.

01:59That will also take some of the pressure off.

02:02But it remains difficult to determine what else the city can do...

02:05...to reduce the number of tourists.

02:08The city acquired a number of buildings outside the centre...

02:11...which it hopes will benefit Amsterdam residents...

02:13...who no longer want to come to the crowded centre.

02:17With this housing transformation, we want to create multiple new spaces.

02:22It's really important to build new housing...

02:25...since so many residents are searching for accommodation in Amsterdam.

02:29We want to create a new concept that combines affordable housing...

02:33...with shops and restaurants.

02:34Of course, there are already many restaurants.

02:38But we want more businesses...

02:40...that also bring art and culture to the city centre.

02:44From the heart of Amsterdam, Red Light Jazz Radio.

02:50One such creative concept is this radio station...

02:53...which helps the voices of the Red Light District to be heard.

02:56This is basically a podium for everyone in the neighbourhood...

02:59...to express themselves.

03:02That's also why the location is called Taboo.

03:06Basically, it says there is no taboo. Anything goes.

03:10The creative campaign I Live Here...

03:13...puts the photos of Red Light District residents on windows and doors...

03:16...for all to see.

03:18The goal is to create an atmosphere of respect.

03:24Instead of focusing on the Red Light District's touristic party atmosphere...

03:28...the city wants to paint a more authentic picture of the neighbourhood.

03:32You can now take boat tours, guided by local residents.

03:40THE BOAT TOUR

03:45My name is Tommy Sherif.

03:47I am a writer, a storyteller, a theatre-maker and a filmmaker.

03:52I am from Egypt.

03:55And I am a political activist since 2007.

03:59A political refugee since 2014.

04:03Taking this boat trip gives tourists an understanding...

04:06...of the diversity of Amsterdam's residents.

04:09It's a boat that's been through really, really some bad moments.

04:14But then we make life out of it. We make art out of it.

04:17We make inspiration out of it.

04:22Amsterdam will always attract tourists.

04:24But the city hopes that soon both tourists and locals...

04:28...will feel comfortable in the centre again.

04:30And hopefully fewer tourists will head home with a hangover.

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