Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory Forums

Saxon wrote:When the wietpas is introduced it will have a major effect on budget and mid-range hotels and budget or cheaper restaurants. As these sort of places usually operate on low margins but high turnover, it could see many go out of business within weeks or months. There will be a knock on effect for jobs for cleaners, chefs and cooks, waiters, delivery drivers and others involved in the hotel and restaurant trade. As well as other tourist related businesses like boat and guided tours, bike rental etc.
That's why the Mayor and Amsterdam city council are opposed to the wietpas. They know it will have a huge effect on the local tourist industry. It could takes years to recover. They have been trying to attract wealthy tourists to Amsterdam for years now, but that's what all European cities want to do. Without the unique hook of the coffeeshops, Amsterdam's tourist trade will find itself in a very competitive market.

DC wrote:"Hope' is a great thing that usually achieves nothing.

Lloydy wrote:I hear all of this talk about Amsterdam falling to its knees once the tourist ban comes into place but I’m really not so sure. When you walk around you see such a mixture of people from all sorts of backgrounds coming to enjoy various activities with coffee shops of course being just one but I would say by no means the primary reason.

Something I have noticed over the last few years is the increasing number of ‘suits’ on the flights that I’m on and I tend to go twice a year and have been the last several years. I’m becoming more aware of Amsterdams burgeoning international business boom with more and more company’s having regional offices, conference centres and facilities so I think this is all part of the evolution of this great City. Just my thoughts

Old Timer wrote:

Saxon wrote:When the wietpas is introduced it will have a major effect on budget and mid-range hotels and budget or cheaper restaurants. As these sort of places usually operate on low margins but high turnover, it could see many go out of business within weeks or months. There will be a knock on effect for jobs for cleaners, chefs and cooks, waiters, delivery drivers and others involved in the hotel and restaurant trade. As well as other tourist related businesses like boat and guided tours, bike rental etc.
That's why the Mayor and Amsterdam city council are opposed to the wietpas. They know it will have a huge effect on the local tourist industry. It could takes years to recover. They have been trying to attract wealthy tourists to Amsterdam for years now, but that's what all European cities want to do. Without the unique hook of the coffeeshops, Amsterdam's tourist trade will find itself in a very competitive market.

That is exactly why I've said and thought all along that it won't be implemented in Amsterdam.
Now we just have to hope that we're right!

treetop wrote:Might have posted this elsewhere already but I don't think the government gives a damn about knock on effects of the Wietpass. They can't be so stupid as to fail to realise that closing coffeeshops will hurt tourism. Especially in amsterdam.

I think this was an ideological decision, taken with eyes open in the knowledge it will hurt tourism. For the people bringing in the new law they simply do not care about job losses etc. They just want to be go to dinner parties and tell all their right thinking religious friends that they are 'cleaning up' the Netherlands and especially Amsterdam.

The Hookers will be next to go IMHO

Saxon wrote:except ,old timer, they don't give a shit about those businesses and if anything probably want them to fail. they truly do want to market to the older and tame demographic

Old Timer wrote:

Saxon wrote:except ,old timer, they don't give a shit about those businesses and if anything probably want them to fail. they truly do want to market to the older and tame demographic

It's not just the government, the mayor of Amsterdam cares a lot about the votes he'll get next election, without his agreement/help, it will be close to impossible to implement the pass.
Anyway, none of us know what will happen, we all have our guesses, educated or otherwise.
Even after everything I've read, including the government not caring and all the rest of it. I still don't think it will be implemented in Amsterdam.
I'm not saying I know, just that it's my somewhat educated guess.
Eventually we will see who guessed right, and who guessed wrong.

Marco wrote:

Old Timer wrote:

Saxon wrote:except ,old timer, they don't give a shit about those businesses and if anything probably want them to fail. they truly do want to market to the older and tame demographic

It's not just the government, the mayor of Amsterdam cares a lot about the votes he'll get next election, without his agreement/help, it will be close to impossible to implement the pass.
Anyway, none of us know what will happen, we all have our guesses, educated or otherwise.
Even after everything I've read, including the government not caring and all the rest of it. I still don't think it will be implemented in Amsterdam.
I'm not saying I know, just that it's my somewhat educated guess.
Eventually we will see who guessed right, and who guessed wrong.

Actually, the mayor is appointed, not elected here. He is in the PvdA (Labor).