Amsterdam plans to ban tourists' favorite activity

Amsterdam plans to ban cruise ships from entering the city center starting in 2035. This is another step in a series of restrictions Amsterdam is taking to combat over-tourism.

As part of the plan, its passenger cruise terminal will move outside the city center and within a decade none of the boats will be able to dock in the capital. The announcement comes amid plans to almost halve the number of cruise ships allowed to dock at the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal (PTA) right now.

Currently, 190 boats are allowed to dock in the city, but this will drop to a maximum of 100 from 2026. Also, by 2027 all boats in the Amsterdam terminal will be required to make ecological adjustments, to reduce their environmental impact.

How will it affect tourism?

Although the plans will undoubtedly help improve the environmental conditions in the city, there are fears that the income generated from tourism will drop significantly. It is estimated that by reducing the number of cruise passengers and shipping companies in the city, museums, restaurants, shops and tour companies may lose. Currently, cruises bring economic benefits to the city of about 105 million euros every year.

Amsterdam receives about 21 million visitors every year, only 1 percent of that number comes by cruise ship. All that is uncertain is how much money the city will lose from the king. Also, even if passengers do not get off right in the city center, they will still be able to visit it with the help of public transportation.