Amsterdam Bans New Tourist Shops of the City to Limit “Disneyfication”

(Source: Travel Weekly China)

Amsterdam, the city full of night life in the Kingdom of Netherlands has announced a ban on any new shops aimed at the international and national tourists, which is effectively limiting the abundance of the places hiring bikes and selling the souvenirs, tour tickets and the omnipresent waffles, after the several protests done by the local people to the Mayor of Amsterdam.

The protest against the "Disneyfication" of the city center came a year ago and now the civil administration bans the tourist shops.

Kajsa Ollongren, the Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam said that nowhere else in the world has such a decision been made. The balance is missing. They are only getting more of the same, and that is not good for the quality of life.

According to the data, it is estimated that there are about 280 such shops in the center of the city, while the tourist numbers have increased to 17 million visitors a year in the latest estimates.

But while some are making money, not everyone is happy. In May, the Chief Executive of Amsterdam Marketing Frans van der Avert told at a tourism conference that the city was aiming to increase the quality of visitors.

The city of Amsterdam has put up the tourist taxes, and on October 1, a new licensing system was imposed for anyone wanting to rent out their house short term along with the fines of at least €6,000 for failure to comply, and a limit of 60 days annually.

The latest ban on the "Disneyfication" will be relevant instantaneously in the city centre and 40 shopping streets. There are no new licenses, which will be granted for things like ticket shops, bike rental companies, cheese, doughnut and ice-cream sellers.

Ollongren who heads the economic affairs said that by not allowing the new tourists shop to open, the city remains attractive, adorable and livable to the visitors.