by Was it stroopwafels, the delicious Dutch syrup soaked thin waffles that I tried to eat a lot of in Amsterdam, or cocaine?
One of those didn’t even have a sniff of interest – the second one, if you must know – but this is a real question the Dutch city’s municipality is asking potential British visitors.
The surprise inquiry is part of tourism’s latest “Fan Away” campaign, which includes an online survey called “Amsterdam Rules”, which also asks why you want to visit (slowly: the answer is “wrong” is a stag party) , whether you like to kick your bells up until 5am, and if you like to pair a bubbly pilsner with a spliff. You get passive-aggressive temptation every time your plans “become a hassle” (probably for long-suffering Amsterdammers).
I didn’t think I’d be the target of such a campaign, but it turns out I am: a British man between the ages of 18-35. Blighty has the reputation of being the first official target group, ahead of Germany, France, Spain and Italy, who are next on the list.
Amsterdam Municipality is cracking down on “party tourists”, those it says visit to “push their limits”, who “fuel the illegal drug trade” and “inconvenient residents and entrepreneurs”. In fact, the quality of life in the city center is “under pressure”.
Read more on travel from the Netherlands:
The base is solid. Those searching online using terms such as “Amsterdam coffee shop”, “Amsterdam red light district” or “Amsterdam stag do” will be directed to the interactive quiz.
It’s a shameful and condescending approach to find “better” tourists – but the Dutch capital has every right to treat us as irresponsible troublemakers. We are only to blame after carefully maintaining a less than favorable image.
The “Brits Abroad” stereotype still exists, in memory but also in reality. Before my fellow citizens accuse me of doing wrong, I am well aware that we are not the only nationality to misbehave while tasting that potent mix of new courses and drinks. But I’ve reported on enough planes making emergency stops due to tripping passengers, spoken to plenty of locals in the Greek islands and read police reports from abroad to know that the cliché still has its faithful advocates. .
I asked a 28-year-old Scottish man, who asked not to be named but is planning to visit Amsterdam with three other chaps in May, what was the main reason for the trip. There was almost a certain beauty to his brevity: “To get on with it.”
And will the “rules” for tourists affect their behavior when referring? It was an expletive, followed by “no”. Not the answer tourism companies would want for their estimated expenditure of €90,000 (£77,236).
“Amsterdam may now regret opening the floodgates to cheap tourism, which could mean overzealous visitors, an overdose that will ultimately cost the city in terms of police time and related management issues other,” says Ted Wake, Kirker’s managing director. Holidays, who have been bringing holidays to the city for over 30 years.
“It’s important that this affects local people and many visitors as well.”
They are fighting the good fight – but does it go far enough? This campaign follows last year’s online approach, with warning videos shown to those who searched for similar phrases on the consequences of drug use and excessive drinking. The initiative cost the city €85,000 (£73,945) – and officials admit it has had “no overall deterrent effect” on the nuisance visitors. And even with additional measures – early closing times in the Red Light District, a ban on group tours, a ban on spending the night in cars – there’s no evidence that this soft and smooth course will work .
Chelsea Dickenson, founder of CheapHolidayExpert.com, told me she understood the sentiment behind it but that gentle reminders of good behavior are unlikely to stick.
“I’m not sure that compliance was the primary concern of the individuals that this campaign is trying to target,” she said.
As my distinguished colleague, Simon Calder pointed out (and the municipality has since confirmed), it is not really forbidden to organize a stag there, despite what the quiz says. Tom Bourlet from The Stag Company told The Independentthat the “ultimate irony” is that “rebellious Brits” have come to see the firm see a massive rise in web traffic and inquiries about Amsterdam – as they did during the 2023 campaign push.
“Amsterdam had a very quiet January to February, slipping out of the top 10, but I hope the Amsterdam council will do the same for us again,” he says, adding: “We need their team to hire to work for us. .”
A Google search reveals companies willing to show me a “good Dam time”, while another describes Amsterdam being anointed as the “capital of debauchery”. If the tourist board wants people to associate the city simply with tulips, Rembrandt and the like, they need to be real with their crackdown. The constant horror of the city’s inhabitants won’t be amused by officers walking around with these mild incidents – but they are fully justified in being extremely leery of asking tourists to respect their host, instead they would continue to act out.
“We hope that Amsterdam’s local authorities will address the challenge before it becomes a real long-term problem for both local residents and tourism,” Ted Wake warned, praising the “warm hospitality” the city offers to visitors.
Before I go on a trip to Amsterdam next month, I am happy to say that I “passed” the test, after which I am told that “my responsible choices show that you appreciate a positive experience”. Which means no coke and a caramel waffle snack.
Read more on the best hotels in amsterdam
