Amsterdam Plans ‘Discouragement’ Efforts To Stop Being Your #1 Vice Destination

The pandemic dramatically reshaped the world of traveling and has left many countries trying new tactics to invite people back into the country. Despite this, Amsterdam is doing the complete opposite with its latest campaign.

 
The country is on a mission to stop people from coming in just for alcohol, drugs, and sex. According to the Brussels Times, the “discouragement campaign” goes against traditional travel marketing and warns visitors—especially British travelers—from planning a trip to experience its nightlife.
 
Of course, it is not just the British the Dutch are wary of. If the “stay away” project works, the council will bring it to other nations. 
 
This summer, the Netherlands recorded a dramatic increase in overnight travelers, particularly in Amsterdam. Most of those vacationing in the country are thought to have spent most of their time in the Red Light district.
 
While that may be something Amsterdam has become infamous for, there are plenty of other cultural and historical locations that demand just as much attention.
 
Considering this, it’s no wonder the government is looking to steer attention away from a holiday of debauchery and towards the city’s beautiful architecture and romantic canals.
 
Citizens have even been complaining for years about the rowdy behavior of the growing number of tourists. 
 
The campaign also seeks to discourage bachelor and bachelorette parties and pub crawls. And one way it’s going about all this is by closing the Red Light district earlier and imposing a ban on smoking weed in some parts of the city. The council is also moving over 100 brothels to the outskirts of the city instead to redirect traffic.
 
 
 
[via Travel Tomorrow and Euronews, Photo 43348103 © Olgacov | Dreamstime.com]