Amsterdam Bans New Hotels to Curb Overtourism

Amsterdam, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, has taken a significant step to combat overtourism by banning the construction of new hotels in the city. The municipal government announced that no new hotel developments will be permitted, with the only exception being a "new-for-old arrangement" where a new hotel can only be built if an existing one closes and the total number of beds does not increase. Any replacement hotel must also be more sustainable and rated at least 4 stars.

This move is part of Amsterdam's broader strategy to discourage mass tourism and limit the annual number of overnight stays in the city to 20 million, down from the 20.7 million recorded in 2023. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Amsterdam saw a record 25.2 million hotel stays in 2019. The city has already implemented other measures to address the impact of excessive tourism, such as raising the tourist tax by 5 percentage points and launching marketing campaigns to deter party and drug tourists from visiting the city's Red Light District.

Why this matters: Amsterdam's decision to stop new hotels highlights the growing global concern over the negative effects of overtourism on popular destinations. As cities grapple with balancing the economic benefits of tourism with preserving the quality of life for residents, Amsterdam's approach may serve as a model for other cities facing similar challenges.

In addition to the hotel ban, Amsterdam has restricted the operation of cruise ships in the city center and launched a "stay away" campaign targeting British men aged 18-35, urging them to avoid the city if their primary intentions are to engage in excessive partying and drug use. Deputy Mayor Sofyan Mbarki stated, "We are focusing on people who have plans other than visiting the Red Light District or the coffee shops. We are trying to give a message: if your intention is to come for drugs or to drink too much alcohol, then please stay away."

While 26 new hotels are still set to open under previously approved permits, the new regulations stipulate that any future hotel developments must replace an existing one, offer higher quality accommodations, and have fewer sleeping places than the hotel it replaces. The goal is to transform Amsterdam's image from an "anything goes" destination to a more refined and livable city for both residents and visitors.

Key Takeaways

• Amsterdam bans construction of new hotels to curb overtourism.
• New hotels can only replace existing ones with fewer beds and higher ratings.
• City aims to limit annual overnight stays to 20 million, down from 25.2 million in 2019.
• Amsterdam raises tourist tax and deters party/drug tourism in the Red Light District.
• Amsterdam's approach may serve as a model for other cities facing overtourism challenges.