Amsterdam battles tourist overload with new regulations and increased taxes

The Seattle Times discloses that Amsterdam, a city renowned for its vibrant tourism industry, is taking drastic measures to manage the influx of visitors.

Protesters are staging hunger strikes against tourism developments, local officials are threatening to cut off water to unauthorized vacation rentals, and residents are using water pistols to ward off tourists. As Labor Day approaches, marking the unofficial end of summer, European hotspots like Barcelona, Athens, and Santorini are experiencing severe backlash from locals. Although final visitor numbers for the summer aren't yet available, preliminary figures indicate that international arrivals in the second quarter surpassed 2019 levels by six per cent, according to the European Travel Commission. 

The intense heat from climate change has further strained popular destinations, with July marking the 14th consecutive month of record temperatures globally. Spain and Greece have reported some of their highest temperatures ever, exceeding 114 degrees Fahrenheit.

Athens, Greece

The surge in tourists this summer placed immense pressure on Athens, which struggled with both extreme heat and water shortages. Wildfires across Greece have devastated forests in the Attica region and even reached the outskirts of Athens. In response to overtourism, Athens saw protests in July, with "No tourists" graffiti appearing on buildings and residents demanding action against vacation rentals, which they claim are overtaking entire neighborhoods.

Santorini, Greece

Santorini, renowned for its iconic whitewashed buildings and stunning sunsets, was among Europe's most overtouristed spots last year, attracting nearly 3.5 million visitors to its small island of 15,500 residents. 

Cruise ships played a significant role, with 800 vessels bringing in 1.3 million passengers, according to the Hellenic Ports Association. Across Greece, extreme heat led to the deaths of at least six foreign tourists, including BBC journalist Michael Mosley, from heat exhaustion. The strain on water supplies from tourism has also caused shortages, prompting emergency declarations on islands like Sifnos and Crete. 

Spain 

In the first half of this year, Spain saw a 13.3 per cent increase in tourist arrivals, reaching over 42.5 million, according to the Ministry of Tourism. 

Protests have erupted in various locations, including Majorca, Málaga, the Canary Islands, and Barcelona. In April, activists in Tenerife staged a hunger strike in opposition to two large-scale tourism projects. "Residents are struggling to afford housing while millions are poured into massive tourism ventures," said Javier Toro, a 23-year-old Tenerife resident involved in the protests.

Venice, Italy 

In April, Venice, a city with a population of 50,000 that hosted 20 million visitors last year, implemented a 5 euro entrance fee (about $5.60) to deter day-trippers during peak times. Many residents believe the city should address more pressing concerns, such as regulating short-term rentals and enhancing local services. "The 5 euro fee is negligible for tourists; they’ll spend more on a beer," remarked tour guide Lorenzo Cataldi. He also criticized the city's new limit of 25 people per tour group, suggesting it only fragmented groups between guides without effectively reducing overcrowding. 

Lisbon, Portugal

The narrow streets of Lisbon, Portugal's capital, have become so crowded with tuk-tuks and tourists that some residents are hesitant to leave their homes this summer. In response, a housing group in Lisbon has launched a campaign for a referendum to ban vacation rentals in residential buildings, claiming they have gathered enough signatures to present the proposal to the local council. Recently, the Lisbon City Council announced it would restrict the number of licenses and parking spaces available to tuk-tuk drivers in an effort to reduce congestion.

 Amsterdam

Amsterdam, one of the most visited cities globally, recorded a staggering 23 million tourists last year. In response to the surge, the city implemented a series of strict measures following the pandemic, including a cap of 20 million visitors annually. The campaign features online videos that highlight the consequences of antisocial behavior, such as arrests and fines. Additionally, Amsterdam has prohibited street marijuana use and is working to limit alcohol sales in the red-light district.