Move prostitution and keep tourists out of cannabis cafes, Amsterdam locals say
4 years, 7 months ago

Move prostitution and keep tourists out of cannabis cafes, Amsterdam locals say

Dutch News  

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema is due to publish her long-awaited vision for tourism in the Dutch capital this week which will outline how she sees tourism developing post coronavirus. ‘If the coronavirus crisis has made one thing clear it is that Amsterdam’s inner city, which is a Unesco world heritage site, has been turned into an amusement park,’ the organisations say. Geerte Udo, chief executive of city marketing department amsterdam&partners, told DutchNews.nl earlier this month that the city will aim to build a new industry that is socially, economically and ecologically ‘sustainable’. ‘Amsterdam has always been an open and international city, and we would love to welcome visitors as soon as possible,’ she told DutchNews.nl. ‘But the right visitors.’ Prostitution Meanwhile, sex worker organisation Red Light United has published its own plans which would allow window prostitution, currently banned until September 1, to resume.

Amsterdam Sex City  cafes  tourists  locals  light  sex  open  say  residents  tourism  amsterdam  banned  red  centre  cannabis  prostitution  told  city

History of this topic

Amsterdam to ban hotels from jamming in sleeping pods to reduce city center overtourism
1 month, 1 week ago

Amsterdam to ban hotels from jamming in sleeping pods to reduce city center overtourism

NL Times  

Amsterdam announced more measures the city plans to try to limit the number of people able to spend the night in the capital. Cafe terraces may also be forced to close early, live sex shows in the Red Light District could see operating hours reduced, and coffeeshops may be enticed to relocate from the city center to other parts of …

Amsterdam mayor not worried Erotic Center will influence local youth
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Amsterdam mayor not worried Erotic Center will influence local youth

NL Times  

Mayor Femke Halsema of Amsterdam is not worried that the Erotic Center set to open on the Europaboulevard in the Zuid district will affect schoolchildren in the area. Local residents and city councilors raised concerns about the erotic center’s impact on young people, given that its chosen location in Amsterdam-Zuid is near the ROC vocational school and Luzac Lyceum. The …

Hospitality industry also opposes Amsterdam's plans for erotic center
1 year, 4 months ago

Hospitality industry also opposes Amsterdam's plans for erotic center

NL Times  

The Amsterdam branch of the hospitality association KHN has joined the protest against the Dutch capital’s plans to close some window brothels in the Red Light District and open an Erotic Center. The spokesperson referred to the ban on smoking weed on the street in the Red Light District and earlier closing times for window brothels and catering establishments in …

'Erotic and cultural centre' market consultation begins
1 year, 6 months ago

'Erotic and cultural centre' market consultation begins

Dutch News  

The city of Amsterdam has started a survey to gauge commercial interest in building an erotic centre to replace 100 brothel windows in the red light district. The intention is to close 100 sex work windows in the red light district, to reduce seedy visitors, nuisance and criminality, while better protecting sex worker rights in a more controlled environment. Earlier …

'Erotic and cultural centre' market consultation begins
1 year, 6 months ago

'Erotic and cultural centre' market consultation begins

Dutch News  

The city of Amsterdam has started a survey to gauge commercial interest in building an erotic centre to replace 100 brothel windows in the red light district. The intention is to close 100 sex work windows in the red light district, to reduce seedy visitors, nuisance and criminality, while better protecting sex worker rights in a more controlled environment. Earlier …

Amsterdam south says it is unsuitable as location for 'erotic centre'
1 year, 8 months ago

Amsterdam south says it is unsuitable as location for 'erotic centre'

Dutch News  

The southern district of Amsterdam does not believe two proposed locations near the RAI business centre are suitable for a planned erotic centre. In ‘concept advice’ sent to the district council, the executive body says that an erotic centre with 100 brothel windows and 1.5 million visitors a year would have all kinds of negative effects. ‘We put the facts …

Amsterdam south says it is unsuitable as location for 'erotic centre'
1 year, 8 months ago

Amsterdam south says it is unsuitable as location for 'erotic centre'

Dutch News  

The southern district of Amsterdam does not believe two proposed locations near the RAI business centre are suitable for a planned erotic centre. In ‘concept advice’ sent to the district council, the executive body says that an erotic centre with 100 brothel windows and 1.5 million visitors a year would have all kinds of negative effects. ‘We put the facts …

Hundreds gather to express discontent with Amsterdam's erotic center plans
1 year, 9 months ago

Hundreds gather to express discontent with Amsterdam's erotic center plans

NL Times  

Hundreds of Amsterdam Zuid residents again gathered in the RAI convention center for another discussion about the city’s plans for an erotic center. The committee will use the input from Monday’s meeting in its final report to the mayor, who will decide where to locate the erotic center along with the aldermen from the city's coalition parties. Several locals wondered …

Sex workers march on city hall in protest at red light district measures
1 year, 9 months ago

Sex workers march on city hall in protest at red light district measures

Dutch News  

To the beat of drums, 150 sex workers and supporters marched on Amsterdam’s city hall on Thursday in protest at changes to the red light district regulations. Many wearing masks and chanting ‘no earlier closing times, no erotic centre’, the protesters took a loop from the red light district around city hall, where they were barred from entry by anxious-looking …

Sex workers march on city hall in protest at red light district measures
1 year, 9 months ago

Sex workers march on city hall in protest at red light district measures

Dutch News  

To the beat of drums, 150 sex workers and supporters marched on Amsterdam’s city hall on Thursday in protest at changes to the red light district regulations. Many wearing masks and chanting ‘no earlier closing times, no erotic centre’, the protesters took a loop from the red light district around city hall, where they were barred from entry by anxious-looking …

Amsterdam tells Brits to 'stay away' as it tries to discourage sex, drugs and booze holidays
1 year, 9 months ago

Amsterdam tells Brits to 'stay away' as it tries to discourage sex, drugs and booze holidays

Daily Mail  

Amsterdam has told Brits to 'stay away' as it becomes the latest holiday destination to try and discourage UK tourists from sex, drugs and booze-filled trips. Amsterdam's new campaign - dubbed 'Stay Away' - will involve people seeing special warnings when they search for terms such as 'stag party Amsterdam' or 'pub crawl Amsterdam'. Amsterdam has told Brits to 'stay …

Erotic centre not next to EMA says mayor, as locals slam 'mega brothel'
1 year, 10 months ago

Erotic centre not next to EMA says mayor, as locals slam 'mega brothel'

Dutch News  

Amsterdam’s plans to potentially locate a new erotic centre in the south of the city will not have an impact on safety at the European Medicines Agency, city mayor Femke Halsema has told the Parool. On Tuesday the EMA said it was raising the issue with the European Commission because it is ‘very concerned’ the centre will ‘create safety, security …

Erotic centre not next to EMA says mayor, as locals slam 'mega brothel'
1 year, 10 months ago

Erotic centre not next to EMA says mayor, as locals slam 'mega brothel'

Dutch News  

Amsterdam’s plans to potentially locate a new erotic centre in the south of the city will not have an impact on safety at the European Medicines Agency, city mayor Femke Halsema has told the Parool. On Tuesday the EMA said it was raising the issue with the European Commission because it is ‘very concerned’ the centre will ‘create safety, security …

Amsterdam residents, sex workers speak out against erotic center
1 year, 10 months ago

Amsterdam residents, sex workers speak out against erotic center

NL Times  

Around 250 people gathered in the RAI in Amsterdam on Tuesday evening to discuss the city’s plans for a new “erotic center” to relieve pressure on the Red Light District. The center will offer about 100 workplaces for a variety of sex workers and room for “care and safety, catering, entertainment, culture, and education,” the municipality said. Many sex workers …

Amsterdam erotic centre plans: 'extraordinary' or 'madness'?
1 year, 10 months ago

Amsterdam erotic centre plans: 'extraordinary' or 'madness'?

Dutch News  

The trendy NSDM wharf in north Amsterdam or the heart of Amsterdam’s conference district in Zuid will host an erotic centre, according to city plans announced on Thursday. ‘By setting up an erotic centre, we will lessen the pressure on De Wallen and at the same time create an extraordinary place where sex workers can work safely, legally and undisturbed, …

Amsterdam erotic centre plans: 'extraordinary' or 'madness'?
1 year, 10 months ago

Amsterdam erotic centre plans: 'extraordinary' or 'madness'?

Dutch News  

The trendy NSDM wharf in north Amsterdam or the heart of Amsterdam’s conference district in Zuid will host an erotic centre, according to city plans announced on Thursday. ‘By setting up an erotic centre, we will lessen the pressure on De Wallen and at the same time create an extraordinary place where sex workers can work safely, legally and undisturbed, …

Why Amsterdam is banning marijuana use in its red light district
1 year, 10 months ago

Why Amsterdam is banning marijuana use in its red light district

Firstpost  

Smoking joints will be prohibited in the canal-lined streets of the Dutch capital housing brothels, sex shops and strip clubs from mid-May. The move comes as locals have for years complained about the menace caused by tourists Amsterdam has banned smoking cannabis on the street in the red light district to tackle crime and “anti-social” behaviour. “Residents of the old …

Amsterdam BANS cannabis from its famous red light district
1 year, 10 months ago

Amsterdam BANS cannabis from its famous red light district

Daily Mail  

Restaurants and bars will have to close by 2am and sex workers' venues by 3am Amsterdam will soon ban cannabis from its famous red light district as part of new regulations by the city. The new laws, which were announced yesterday, will be in force from mid-May and aim to improve residents' quality of life as they have long complained …

Amsterdam wants to ban smoking cannabis in the Red Light District from mid-May
1 year, 11 months ago

Amsterdam wants to ban smoking cannabis in the Red Light District from mid-May

NL Times  

Amsterdam announced plans on Thursday to forbid people from smoking cannabis in the old city center of the capital. Additionally, Mayor Femke Halsema and the coalition of aldermen who lead the city will investigate if they can also ban people from collecting soft drugs at businesses in De Wallen. "Residents of the old city center are structurally and excessively bothered …

Amsterdam campaign tells ‘nuisance’ British tourists to ‘stay away’ from capital
2 years, 1 month ago

Amsterdam campaign tells ‘nuisance’ British tourists to ‘stay away’ from capital

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A new tourism campaign in Amsterdam is attempting to discourage “nuisance” British tourists from visiting the …

Amsterdam restaurants want to only limit RLD terraces on busy nights
2 years, 8 months ago

Amsterdam restaurants want to only limit RLD terraces on busy nights

NL Times  

Terraces in Amsterdam's Red Light District should only shrink on busy Fridays and Saturdays. Companies that are active in the area popular with tourists previously reacted angrily to measures taken by Amsterdam to prevent crowds and nuisance in the Red Light District. Mayor Femke Halsema recently announced that the permission given to cafes and restaurants to expand terraces will be …

Many Amsterdam sex workers against proposed erotic center
2 years, 8 months ago

Many Amsterdam sex workers against proposed erotic center

NL Times  

One hundred and thirty Amsterdam Red Light District sex workers wrote an open letter to architects, construction companies and developers, appealing them not to get involved in the city's proposed high-rise erotic center. The center would replace the Red Light District, but many sex workers fear it is a dangerous alternative, according to AT5. Former sex worker and founder of …

Tourists WILL be banned from Amsterdam's cannabis-selling coffee shops
2 years, 8 months ago

Tourists WILL be banned from Amsterdam's cannabis-selling coffee shops

Daily Mail  

Amsterdam's cannabis coffee shops are set to ban tourists in a 'necessary intervention' to get a grip on the local soft drugs market. Cannabis coffee shops have been a famous tourist attraction in the Dutch capital, which welcomes approximately 20million tourists every year, since they have become available for recreational use in cafes since 1976. Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema …

80% of brothels disappeared after sex work law loosened in 2000
3 years ago

80% of brothels disappeared after sex work law loosened in 2000

NL Times  

Only about 250 of 1,350 registered bordellos have remained active in the Netherlands since prostitution was legalized in 2000. The sex work businesses have found it increasingly difficult to obtain and maintain a permit in recent years, according to a report by Pointer. Municipal leadership has become more aware of human trafficking and sexual exploitation through the years, said Rodney …

Amsterdam to restrict alcohol sales in Red Light District again this summer
3 years, 6 months ago

Amsterdam to restrict alcohol sales in Red Light District again this summer

NL Times  

The sale of alcohol in supermarkets in the Red Light District will be restricted to combat nuisance caused by tourists, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema announced. With more coronavirus measures being lifted, crowds are expected to return to the Red Light District. In the Red Light District, many streets already have a ban on consuming alcohol. Halsema said on Thursday afternoon …

Amsterdam takes measures against crowds in city center
3 years, 6 months ago

Amsterdam takes measures against crowds in city center

NL Times  

With coronavirus restrictions lifting and more and more people being out and about, the city of Amsterdam is taking extra measures to manage crowds and prevent nuisance in the city center. "Visitors who respect Amsterdam and the people of Amsterdam have always been welcome," the city said in a press release. "We do not ant to go back to what …

Another location for possible Amsterdam 'Erotic Center' announced
3 years, 8 months ago

Another location for possible Amsterdam 'Erotic Center' announced

NL Times  

The city of Amsterdam said this week it would consider the Haven-Stad district as another possible location for a high-rise erotic center that could serve as an alternate location for sex work in the capital. After several years of trying to scale down the number of window brothels in the Red Light District, city leadership announced late last year the …

Amsterdam to Move Red-light District Out of Main City Citing Tourist Behavior, Sex Workers Fume
3 years, 11 months ago

Amsterdam to Move Red-light District Out of Main City Citing Tourist Behavior, Sex Workers Fume

News 18  

Amsterdam city council is looking forward to resetting the city’s tourist attractions by transferring its red-light area to a new location. The decision was made by the city’s mayor, Femke Halsema, who proposed to shut down many brothel windows in the narrow alleys around the city’s docks. According to a report by the Guardian, brothel windows of Amsterdam’s De Wallen …

Amsterdam to move red light district to new ‘erotic centre’ outside the city in tourism overhaul
3 years, 11 months ago

Amsterdam to move red light district to new ‘erotic centre’ outside the city in tourism overhaul

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Amsterdam is to move its red light district to a new “erotic centre” outside the city …

Erotic centre to come in plans to 'reset' Amsterdam inner city
3 years, 11 months ago

Erotic centre to come in plans to 'reset' Amsterdam inner city

Dutch News  

A majority of councillors in Amsterdam will vote for plans to radically change the historic centre, including moving red light windows to an ‘erotic centre’ outside De Wallen. There are more than 80 individual measures in an ‘inner city’ plan, a proposal to move prostitution from the Red Light District to a purpose-built erotic centre elsewhere, and a set of …

Erotic centre to come in plans to 'reset' Amsterdam inner city
3 years, 11 months ago

Erotic centre to come in plans to 'reset' Amsterdam inner city

Dutch News  

A majority of councillors in Amsterdam will vote for plans to radically change the historic centre, including moving red light windows to an ‘erotic centre’ outside De Wallen. There are more than 80 individual measures in an ‘inner city’ plan, a proposal to move prostitution from the Red Light District to a purpose-built erotic centre elsewhere, and a set of …

Second lockdown fatal for Amsterdam's sex worker-run brothel
3 years, 11 months ago

Second lockdown fatal for Amsterdam's sex worker-run brothel

NL Times  

Amsterdam's sex worker-run brothel My Red Light is closing its doors for good. My Red Light was an important project for late Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan. We therefore had to decide to stop," Coby van Berkum, member of My Red Light's supervisory board, said to the newspaper. "Attention tot he safety and position of sex workers is of …

Day-trip tax, Airbnb ban suggested to stop Amsterdam overtourism
4 years, 1 month ago

Day-trip tax, Airbnb ban suggested to stop Amsterdam overtourism

NL Times  

In order to prevent massive crowds of tourists returning to Amsterdam after the Covid-19 pandemic, the Dutch capital's visitor economy must be completely restructured in the coming years, according to Amsterdam & Partners, the former city marketing agency. The agency suggests implementing a tax on day trippers, a discount pass for residents, and a total ban on holiday rentals like …

Halsema presents detailed plan for a new 'Sex Hotel' in Amsterdam
4 years, 2 months ago

Halsema presents detailed plan for a new 'Sex Hotel' in Amsterdam

NL Times  

Plans to move sex workers in Amsterdam to a new ‘erotic center’ or ‘prostitution hotel’ have begun to materialize. She announced that a substantial number of sex workers who currently work in Red Light District would have to permanently draw the curtains across their windows. Instead, they would have to move to a new ‘erotic center,’ which, according to the …

Local businesses add to pressure on Amsterdam to clean up sex and drugs reputation
4 years, 2 months ago

Local businesses add to pressure on Amsterdam to clean up sex and drugs reputation

Dutch News  

Eight Amsterdam employers organisations have joined forces in an effort to persuade the city council to radically reform the city’s image as a haven for sex and drugs, adding further pressure on officials to make major changes. In particular, city officials should act to tackle the window brothels in the red light district and to radically change the policy on …

Amsterdam halts Red Light District alcohol sales; Better crowd control planned
4 years, 5 months ago

Amsterdam halts Red Light District alcohol sales; Better crowd control planned

NL Times  

Amsterdam is banning the sale of alcohol in shops in the Red Light District over the weekend, in an attempt to better control crowds in the popular area. And day trippers and tourists will be urged to avoid crowds with targeted ads on their social media, the local security region Veiligiheidsregio Amsterdam-Amstelland announced on Thursday. The sale of alcohol in …

Amsterdam’s Red Light District closed due to overcrowding; Street performers banned
4 years, 5 months ago

Amsterdam’s Red Light District closed due to overcrowding; Street performers banned

NL Times  

A portion of Amsterdam's De Wallen neighborhood, home to the city's primary Red Light District, was closed Saturday night after an influx of tourists made the area unmanageable. The Amsterdam-Amstelland public safety office said earlier in the week that when areas become too crowded they would likely forbid more people from entering that space. Buskers forbidden The influx of crowds …

‘It’s a disaster’: Amsterdam’s Red Light District remains closed as the city opens up
4 years, 6 months ago

‘It’s a disaster’: Amsterdam’s Red Light District remains closed as the city opens up

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. De Vries says she knows seven sex workers who …

Amsterdam considers buying up property to boost inner city mix
4 years, 7 months ago

Amsterdam considers buying up property to boost inner city mix

Dutch News  

More diverse shops, making sure housing is available to a wide variety of people and boosting non-tourism related businesses are key to getting Amsterdam locals to value their inner city once again, the city’s mayor has said in a briefing to city councillors. The silence in the city centre now tourism has dried up ‘underscores the urgency’ to develop a …

Amsterdam wants to limit alcohol sales in fight against partying tourists
4 years, 10 months ago

Amsterdam wants to limit alcohol sales in fight against partying tourists

NL Times  

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema asked the government to come up with new legislation so that the capital can limit the sale of alcohol around entertainment areas. The number of tourists and day trippers visiting Amsterdam is expected to increase from 20 million this year to 32 million in 2030, Halsema said in a letter sent to the city council along …

Amsterdam bans all tours around red light windows from April
4 years, 10 months ago

Amsterdam bans all tours around red light windows from April

Dutch News  

Amsterdam has banned tour guides from taking tourists around red light district windows in all parts of the city from April. All organised tours in the Wallen – the red light district – have been banned from this January, but now the council is implementing a tough set of new rules for tours and a ban on organised guides visiting …

Amsterdam bans all tours around red light windows from April
4 years, 10 months ago

Amsterdam bans all tours around red light windows from April

Dutch News  

Amsterdam has banned tour guides from taking tourists around red light district windows in all parts of the city from April. All organised tours in the Wallen – the red light district – have been banned from this January, but now the council is implementing a tough set of new rules for tours and a ban on organised guides visiting …

Big cities worried that new sex work law could harm ‘vulnerable’ sex workers
5 years ago

Big cities worried that new sex work law could harm ‘vulnerable’ sex workers

Dutch News  

Five major Dutch cities are concerned that a proposed law to regulate sex work nationally could have negative consequences for ‘vulnerable’ groups. It is with these people that abuses occur more often, and efforts must be made to reach out to them.’ The mayors believe that the new sex work law – which would criminalise unlicensed sex workers, the customers …

Big cities worried that new sex work law could harm ‘vulnerable’ sex workers
5 years ago

Big cities worried that new sex work law could harm ‘vulnerable’ sex workers

Dutch News  

Five major Dutch cities are concerned that a proposed law to regulate sex work nationally could have negative consequences for ‘vulnerable’ groups. It is with these people that abuses occur more often, and efforts must be made to reach out to them.’ The mayors believe that the new sex work law – which would criminalise unlicensed sex workers, the customers …

Red light to ‘red light’? Amsterdam council confused about signs
5 years, 1 month ago

Red light to ‘red light’? Amsterdam council confused about signs

Dutch News  

A proposal for guiding tourists through Amsterdam’s red light district with signs and a light installation has apparently been withdrawn before publication, after sparking angry responses from councillors and residents. Buro Mijksenaar proposed a physical ‘wayfinding’ system of ‘red light district’ signs, and a light projection above the streets to get tourists ‘in and out quicker’, according to a city …

Red light to ‘red light’? Amsterdam council confused about signs
5 years, 1 month ago

Red light to ‘red light’? Amsterdam council confused about signs

Dutch News  

A proposal for guiding tourists through Amsterdam’s red light district with signs and a light installation has apparently been withdrawn before publication, after sparking angry responses from councillors and residents. Buro Mijksenaar proposed a physical ‘wayfinding’ system of ‘red light district’ signs, and a light projection above the streets to get tourists ‘in and out quicker’, according to a city …

Amsterdam to stop using 'Red Light District' in De Wallen
5 years, 1 month ago

Amsterdam to stop using 'Red Light District' in De Wallen

NL Times  

Because the words "Red Light District" explicitly refers to sex work, the term will no longer be used on signposts leading to the Wallen area, D66 alderman Victor Everhardt of Tourism said during a debate in the Amsterdam city council on Thursday, Het Parool reports. Multiple parties in the city council agree that Amsterdam should not promote the prostitution sector …

Red Light District's Future Still Uncertain
5 years, 5 months ago

Red Light District's Future Still Uncertain

NL Times  

The debate on the future of Amsterdam’s Red Light District was once again met with opposing ideas and interests by residents and sex workers during the last meeting held on Friday at the Compagnietheater. The city of Amsterdam, under the guidance of Mayor Femke Halsema, organized two meetings in the past week to discuss the future of window prostitution in …

Feuds resurface over future of Amsterdam's Red Light District
5 years, 5 months ago

Feuds resurface over future of Amsterdam's Red Light District

NL Times  

The first meeting to discuss the future of Amsterdam’s Red Light District was met with disagreement and polarizing opinions on Wednesday evening at the Compagnietheater, the 18th century former church that sits in De Wallen. Halsema’s move to overhaul the popular neighborhood was announced last week with a report, “The Future of Window Prostitution in Amsterdam,” where she outlined four …

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