Amsterdam wants to oust cruise ships from the city

Amsterdam wants to oust cruise ships from the city


July 22, 2023 – Amsterdam, like other world cities, suffers from mass tourism. In 2019, Holland's capital recorded 22 million tourist overnight stays. The city administration has been trying to reduce this number for a long time. According to those responsible, 300.000 to 400.000 cruise passengers also contribute to mass tourism. The consequence: the cruise terminal on the Ij is to be closed.

After ongoing complaints from Amsterdam citizens, the city council decided in 2021 to introduce a tourist quota against mass tourism. Accordingly, no more than 20 million guests are allowed to stay overnight in Amsterdam throughout the year. And since January 1, 2019, passengers on ocean and river cruise ships have been required to pay a cruise tax of eight euros.

Amsterdam - lettering in front of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam - Lettering in front of the Rijksmuseum


Currently, the Amsterdam City Council intends to mitigate the negative effects of mass tourism on the city's citizens. According to the AFP news agency, the city administration accepted a request to close the cruise terminal, which is located within walking distance of Amsterdam Central Station and adjoins the Muziekgebouw. Further information on this project is not yet available. The location of a new terminal is open to speculation. The liberal D66 ruling party is responsible for the closure request. She asserts environmental aspects and a planned bridge construction project to connect the northern and southern parts of the city for the planned closure of the previous terminal.