Amsterdam tells ‘nuisance’ tourists to stay away

Amsterdam tells ‘nuisance’ tourists to stay away | Secret Flying

Amsterdam looks to change its reputation.

 

Amsterdam has launched a tourism campaign aimed at keeping “nuisance” tourists away.

 

The “discouragement campaign” wants to keep out drunk or stoned groups of young men by appealing to families and couples.

 

Councillors in the Dutch city say the move to discourage certain tourists from attending would be part of a targeted, digital discouragement campaign on foreign visitors who only come to Amsterdam for alcohol, drugs and sex”.

 

“The aim of the discouragement campaign is to keep out visitors that we do not want. If we love the city, we must take action now, said Sofyan Mbarki, the city’s deputy mayor who is implementing the tourism measures.

 

“Action is needed to prevent nuisance and overcrowding. Amsterdam is a world city and bustle and liveliness come along with this but to keep our city liveable we need to choose limits instead of irresponsible growth.”

 

Mbarki added: “We want to get rid of commercial parties who earn their money from vulgar touristic entertainment in the already scarce public space in the city centre: entertainment that does not take any account of Amsterdammers who live or work in the city.”

 

Amsterdam’s red light district is famed for its legalised brothels and window displays of sex workers.

 

But residents say the area draws intoxicated tourists who create an uncomfortable and unsafe atmosphere.

 

According to The Times, the “stay away” tourism campaign will initially focus on British visitors.

 

The fresh approach comes after the Dutch city already announced a series of new measures to tackle offensive visitor behaviour.

 

Mbarki introduced restrictions including a ban on smoking cannabis in city centre streets.

 

A limit on bachelor parties and pub crawls has also been imposed. The number of river cruises has also been capped.