Amsterdam is taking measures to reduce the number of tourists, particularly cruise ship tourists, who have been compared to a “plague of locusts” by Ilana Rooderkerk, a member of the city council. According to the BBC, the council has voted to ban cruise ships from docking in the city center and close the central cruise terminal. Rooderkerk, representing the liberal D66 party, stated that cruise ships in the city center are not aligned with Amsterdam’s goal of decreasing the number of tourists and are also harmful to the environment, contradicting the city’s sustainable ambitions.
Each year, approximately 100 cruise ships dock in the center of Amsterdam. Mayor Femke Halsema expressed dissatisfaction last year with cruise ship tourists who only had time to eat at international chain restaurants and didn’t have the opportunity to visit museums or experience the city fully. Sky News reports that Amsterdam receives 22 million tourists per year, a number considered excessive by Halsema. In addition to addressing cruise ship tourism, Amsterdam is also working to discourage tourists who view the city as a party destination, particularly young British men.
D66 issued a statement emphasizing the need for all parties in the city to contribute to reducing the number of tourists, including the cruise industry. The closure of the central cruise terminal will also pave the way for the construction of a new bridge over the River IJ, connecting the southern district to the Noord district, where the city intends to build new housing, as per Maritime Executive.
By implementing these measures, Amsterdam aims to manage its tourism industry more effectively and strike a balance between sustainability, local residents’ wellbeing, and attracting the right type of visitors.
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