Tourism In Amsterdam Is About To Get Much More Expensive

Amsterdam’s local government targets budget tourism with new tax regulations in order to curb problems associated with the sector while increasing revenue inside the city.
According to recent estimates, around 17 million people visited Amsterdam during 2016. Even when this figure is divided over months, or even weeks, it still eclipses the city’s residential population which reaches to approximately 850,000 people. Amsterdam’s municipal government believes that over the next few years, the number of tourists visiting the city will continue to grow exponentially and may even arrive at 23 million within a decade.

Sources from T he Guardian claim that over one quarter of these tourists stay in budget accommodation and therefore only contribute a marginal amount to the city’s economy, as these businesses tend to create considerably less money than bigger establishments. In order to generate more revenue from this type of tourism, the council plans to hike up accommodation taxes from 5% to 6% and may even create an additional cover charge that could cost guests up to €10 per night.

The council wants to attract more higher spenders than budget tourists

While higher spenders probably won’t be deterred by these prices, travellers working on a budget may think twice about staying in Amsterdam. In fact, Amsterdam’s finance councillor Udo Kock told Dutch newspaper het Parool that these plans are specifically designed to disproportionately effect low-cost tourism, as the price of budget accommodation would increase massively when compared to more expensive options.

These changes are also intended to decrease the number of people staying in overcrowded areas like the Red Light District, and Kock believes that travellers may even start to look for accommodation in less expensive cities elsewhere in the Netherlands, but nonetheless still visit Amsterdam during their time abroad.
Although these plans aren’t finalised, the council will likely start to implement regulations of this kind by 2019.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.