STAG DON’T

Major stag do warning as boozy Brits told to STAY AWAY from popular city

A MAJOR anti-stag do campaign has been launched by the city of Amsterdam warning boozy Brits to stay away.

It comes after a drawn-out crusade from locals and politicians to end "drunk and puking stag parties" in the Netherlands' capital.

Advertisement
Boozy Brits have been told to 'stay away' from AmsterdamCredit: Getty
The tourist hotspot has played host to drug and alcohol-fuelled stag dos for many years
British men aged between 18 and 35 have been labelled as the 'worst type' of touristsCredit: Getty

The cosmopolitan city is synonymous with sex, drugs, alcohol - and according to the council, insufferable British men.

As of today, an online campaign dubbed "Stay Away" has been launched to curb the rowdy behaviour.

Anyone from Britain who is browsing a "fun" getaway online will be in the cross-hairs.

For example, entering terms into search engines such as "stag party Amsterdam" or "weed-friendly sex shows" will land you in hot water.

Advertisement

Immediately, users' computer screens will see warning video adverts that describe the risks and consequences of excessive alcohol and drug taking.

It reads: "Coming to Amsterdam for a messy night and getting trashed equals a £123 fine, a criminal record and fewer prospects."

It comes after research compiled by Amsterdam city council suggested Brits aged 18 to 35 tended to cause the most nuisance in the Red Light District with stag parties, pub crawls and all-night benders.

Sofyan Mbarki, deputy mayor for economic affairs, said in a statement the city was rejecting "irresponsible" growth.

Advertisement

Most read in Travel

ISLE GO
Spain's 'new Ibiza' is one of it's least popular islands but set to be huge in 2025
GO WILD
Best cowboy-themed attractions in the UK from Wild West towns to saloon bars
DRINK IT IN
Haven to open four new Wetherspoons - is your holiday park on the list?
SMOOTH SAILING
Four cruises for whole family from Greek isle sailings to bucket-list trips

She said: "Visitors are still welcome but not if they misbehave and cause nuisance.

"As a city, we are saying - we’d rather not have this, so stay away."

The campaign has started in Britain this week and will be expanded to the Netherlands and beyond.

It will be paired with "how to Amsterdam" propaganda including posters and screens that remind tourists of their manners.

Advertisement

It follows the council's controversial ruling to ban smoking cannabis in the Red Light District from May, 2023.

However, not all business operatives in the tourist hotspot are happy with the "targeted" campaign.

One local tour operator slammed the stereotyping of Brit visitors and insisted they bring in millions to the local economy.

Jon Stainer, operations chief at , told The Sun Online: "Whilst we understand the position of the local authorities wanting to combat anti-social behaviour, it’s pretty lazy stereotyping to tarnish all Brits with the same brush.

Advertisement

"We send thousands of responsible stags to Amsterdam each year, pumping a lot of money into the local economy, who go there and have a good time without causing carnage.

"Unfortunately, it will be the one per cent that take it too far and we accept that it’s our duty as one of the UK’s leading stag planners to do more to educate them on behaving properly whilst they’re there.

"It would be regrettable for Amsterdam and the vast majority of law-abiding British tourists to suffer due to the actions of a few individuals."

Marco Lemmers, chief executive of Conscious Hotels, told the Guardian he would prefer a more light-hearted message.

Advertisement

He said: "You could show people that they will get in trouble with certain behaviour, with a bit of humour, but you shouldn’t act like everyone who comes here for a wedding is a criminal.

"You should read what the Dutch get up to on the Costa Brava in Spain... has Amsterdam even thought of the potential collateral damage for the Netherlands as a destination as a whole."

Did you have a stag do planned for Amsterdam? Email james.liveris@the-sun.co.uk and worldnews@the-sun.co.uk or WhatsApp 07741005808 for free if you have any information.

Advertisement
The online campaign warned fines and criminal records for reckless behaviourCredit: Ian Whittaker - The Sun
The city's Red Light District is also set to ban smoking cannabis from MayCredit: Getty
Topics
Advertisement
machibet777.com