Amsterdam to ban 'disrespectful' tours of red-light district

Move is just one of measures taken to limit impact of mass tourism on historic city centre

Jon Henley European affairs correspondent
Wed 20 Mar 2019 17.47 GMT

Amsterdam is to ban guided tours of its red-light district as part of an effort to restrict the increasing throngs of visitors in its historic city centre, and because “they are not respectful” to sex workers.

“It is no longer acceptable in this age to see sex workers as a tourist attraction,” city councillor Udo Kock said. A survey has shown that 80% of sex workers say gawping tourists are bad for their business and councillors last year suggested moving the red light district to another part of the city.

Fuelled by cheap flights and online booking, tourist numbers in Amsterdam – a city of 850,000 residents – rose to 19 million in 2018, with mayor Femke Halsema predicting 29 million by 2025. The medieval city centre is becoming increasingly unlivable, residents say.

The ban, which comes into effect on 1 January, will cover paid and free tours, which according to the city council have “a magnetic effect” on visitor numbers.

The maximum number of people allowed on organised tours of the rest of the city centre will be reduced from 20 to 15, and guides will have to have a council permit and quality check, and observe strict rules of behaviour.

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