Amsterdam to hike tourist tax in fight against overtourism

Amsterdam is working to prevent tourism that causes nuisances, and has set a maximum number of visitors. — Pixabay

Visitors to Amsterdam in the Netherlands will be charged Europe’s highest tourist tax from 2024 as the picturesque Dutch city is set to increase the levy on overnight stays from 7% to 12.5% in its ongoing fight against overtourism.

The tourist tax “will be further increased to fund the extra spending so that visitors make a bigger contribution to the city”, the City of Amsterdam said.

“This will also help tackle overtourism,” it added.

With an average room rate of €175 (RM884.80) per person, the increase will lift the tourist fee from €15.25 (RM77.10) to €21.80 (RM110.20) per night.

“In comparison, Barcelona’s tourist taxes average about €2.25 (RM11.40) per person per day, while in Paris you can generally expect to pay about €4 (RM20.20) per person, per night,” travel website Lonely Planet says.

Home to around one million people, Amsterdam has in recent years been struggling to handle between 15 and 20 million annual visitors.

“To maintain the quality of life in Amsterdam, the city is working to prevent tourism that causes nuisances, and has set a maximum number of visitors,” authorities announced.

Amsterdam has long been a magnet for hedonists, drawn to its so-called coffee shops where cannabis can be bought and smoked, and to its infamous red-light district.

The tax hike was expected, coming after city governors in 2022 said they aimed to “combat bachelor parties that cause disturbances and organised pub crawls”.

They were also looking to introduce earlier closing times for some bars and clubs in the city centre as well as a partial ban on smoking cannabis on the street.

Authorities launched a so-called “stay away” campaign earlier in 2023, asking British stag groups to take their often rowdy and debauched behaviour elsewhere. – dpa