The European holiday hotspot introducing strict new rules and urging tourists to ‘stay away’

A POPULAR European destination is bringing in strict new rules this year and is urging people to “stay away” as it seeks to change its image.

Some people go on holiday specifically to party with certain destinations offering more opportunities than others.

One of those places is Amsterdam – but maybe not for much longer.

The Dutch capital is introducing its “stay away” campaign, urging tourists to consider going elsewhere if they’re only planning to “let loose”.

From mid-May, visitors will no longer be permitted to smoke marijuana in the streets – with relaxed weed laws a big draw for tourists to the city.

Restrictions on alcohol sales are also planned, while curfews will shut down bars and parts of the red light district that currently have 24 hour licences.

Organised bachelor parties and pub crawls are also on the list of things the city wants to get rid of.

Meanwhile, overcrowding and ‘over-tourism’, will reportedly be tackled by the city limiting the number of river cruises and Airbnb rental properties.

Instead, a number of hotels will be repurposed into residential and office buildings.

The city’s deputy mayor, Sofyan Mbarki, said the restrictions mean that tourism won’t impact residents’ quality of life.

He tweeted: “Tourism is part of our city, but it should not be at the expense of quality of life. That is why there’s a long-term vision on tourism and a package of measures.”

In he said: “In recent months I have spoken with many different parties: residents, entrepreneurs, experts and interest groups. 

“These conversations clearly showed that everyone has a heart for the city and that action is needed to prevent nuisance and crowds.

“Amsterdam is known as a free and open city that wants to share its cultural wealth, including museums and leading venues, the canal belt, but also its nightlife with visitors from all over the world.

“Some entrepreneurs misuse the image of the city to sell Amsterdam as a place of ‘unlimited possibilities’. As a result, groups of visitors think that Amsterdam is a city where everything is possible and allowed.”

The new rules have been well-received by people in the city, even by those who make money from tourism.

Remco Groenhuijzen, general manager of the Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre : “We should get rid of the image of sex, drugs and rock and roll.

“It’s not bad that we have a city that’s a little bit on the edge. But that’s not a free [pass] to come here and misbehave.”

Amsterdam officials have also proposed other ways in which they can change the image of their city.

The city’s mayor, Femke Halsema, has been attempting to ban tourists from cannabis-selling coffeeshops for some time.

She has also said she wants to move the red light district out of Amsterdam altogether, with a proposal to build a five-story “erotic centre” with bars and 100 small rooms.

Amsterdam isn’t the only place bringing in rules to ban stag and hen dos – with this popular Spanish resort hoping to do the same.

And these strict rules could prevent holidaymakers from doing other things on holiday in Spain.