Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has called for tourism numbers to be reduced, even if the measures affect the city’s hotels, restaurants and bars.
Speaking on Dutch broadcaster AT5’s Conversation with the Mayor, Halsema said the economic benefits of tourism did not outweigh the damage caused by mass tourism.
According to Europesays, Amsterdam recorded 23,7 million tourist overnight stays in 2025, exceeding the city council’s limit of 20 million a year. The city also received more than 14 million unique day visitors in 2024, around 14% more than before the pandemic.
Six neighbourhoods are showing signs of tourism exceeding their capacity. Visitor-focused businesses accounted for 23% of shops in the city centre in 2025, up from 20% five years earlier. Halsema warned that this “monoculture” threatened the liveability and vitality of the inner city, alongside concerns about waste, noise and litter.
Amsterdam has already restricted hotel expansion, tightened holiday-rental rules, targeted party tourism and introduced measures to reduce disruption from cruises and nighttime activity. Further restrictions on river cruises and efforts to divert visitors from congested areas are being considered.
