The city of Amsterdam has decides to curb shops, bike rentals, cheese shops and other retail mainly or solely targeting tourists in an attempt to reclaim the city centre for residents. Also shops selling food for immediate consumption will be limited in large parts of the centre district. Kajsa Ollongren, deputy mayor for economic affairs in Amsterdam says, though tourists are welcome, she wanted to ensure the centre remained attractive and liveable for residents. Following this measure, a zoning plan will be introduced for the historic inner city. In the course of this, a guideline for retailers will be presented and additionally the city government agreed on an increase in tourist tax from 5% to 6% in 2018.
Amsterdam, with its 850,000 inhabitants was visited by 17 million people in 2016, justifying residents complaints about the tourist industry’s incremental impact in the city.
The Guardian
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