Netherlands: Amsterdam to restrict holiday rentals

Event

Amsterdam officials have announced a plan in May to ban Airbnb short-term rentals in busy areas and limit rentals to 30 days per year outside the city’s busy neighborhoods in 2019. They will also divert cruise ships from docking in the city center. There will also be a raise to the tourist tax from 4 percent to 6 percent. According to local sources, the decision has been made in an effort to decrease the volume of tourism and the “Disneyfication” of the city. Authorities will also limit “fun rides” such as Segways and horse-drawn carriages.

Higher demand for hotels, as well as higher-than-usual prices, are anticipated in the coming months.

Advice

Individuals traveling to Amsterdam should anticipate higher demand for hotels and plan accordingly.