Relaxed Dutch drugs policy may end

[Hammy]

If this where to happen, American and Canadian tourism to Holland would probably half overnight. It simply wouldn't be worth travelling to Holland over so many other destinations in the world, with the huge expense and flight times involved.

I'd like to think that European tourism to Amsterdam would remain mostly unchanged, with the exception of perhaps fewer stag nights etc (a bad thing?) as it is undoubtedly a beautiful city with much to offer other than the weed. As far as Europeans talking about cities they want to visit, I'd imagine that Amsterdam would be up there with Paris, Rome, Venice etc. I like to think so anyway.

However, this would still be a hugely bad thing for the Dutch economy on the whole, not just the tourism industry. Remember, the money spent by tourists goes into a locals pocket, to be spent by that local elsewhere locally, to be spent by that local elsewhere locally.... You get the point. Less money coming in from abroad means less money floating around. Lower money supply means less tax revenue, more inflationary pressure and many other negative economic effects. Anyone with even a basic understanding of economics knows that proposing the partial destruction of a large industry within a country is economic suicide what with the current worldwide economic situation.

Rant over.

[echc1]

it'd probably be one of the worst decisions ever for tourism.......just look at the average tourist thatdoes go there with the intention.....so they'd lose 200 to 500 euros for the hotel,airport/transport costs spent either in holland or with klm...if like me 500 to 1000 euros/week on keeping myself amused and medicated,fed and watered....now multiply those figures by the amount of tourists like ourselves......stag weekends wont count,they'll just go to prague or baltic capitals for cheaper booze n hookers instead..........then there will be the knock on effect of all the coffeeshop/hotel tourism staff that wont have jobs and have to claim state support......AND not forgetting the lots of lovely tax euros that come from the coffeeshops etc.........in a nutshell it's financial suicide.....rant over

[BigRigRob]

Wassup Matt

[SoulRider]

I really dont think the cannabis brings in nearly as many tourists as you think.

Maybe so. (However, I have heard that upwards of 25% of Dutch tourists pop in to try the coffeeshops. That figure might even be artificially low, given that some folks wish to remain in the cannabis closet. Even if the number is as low as 10-15% that is still a substantial number of tourists.)

Can't remember where I read it, but it says less than 25% of the tourists come for the Marijuana. Apparently the Marijuana industry is not the biggest tourist attraction. This came out before when we were talking about how the smoking ban would affect tourism. I can't find the link at the moment, but when I do i'll post it.

[Boner]

Theres a member of Channels who has family that live in Amsterdam and are married to dutch people, she said only 5% of the Dutch population use the coffeeshops.

[88mike]

I guess the other 76% has to be people comming for the wooden shoes, windmills, and The Anne Frank House.

[Boner]

I guess the other 76% has to be people comming for the wooden shoes, windmills, and The Anne Frank House.

And the art galleries, the architecture, the culture, the canals, the cheese and the delftware.

Edit: I forgot the churches as well, I'd guess that religion brings in more tourism than marijuana.

Edit 2: I'd also say legalised prostitution brings in more tourism than marijuana as well.

[doobydave]

The actual number of tourist is less relevant than the amount of money spent by the different type of tourist. It would be interesting to see a breakdown of money spent by tourists who would visit only if weed is available versus money spent by all other tourists.

I doubt many couples part with €1600 (+other costs) in ten days on vacation to The Netherlands if they don't partake in weed.

Edit - Though I appreciate TwoCanuck and partner's mammoth effort is probably at the top end of the scale.....

[Sir Niall of Essex-sire]

The actual number of tourist is less relevant than the amount of money spent by the different type of tourist. It would be interesting to see a breakdown of money spent by tourists who would visit only if weed is available versus money spent by all other tourists.

I doubt many couples part with €1600 (+other costs) in ten days on vacation to The Netherlands if they don't partake in weed.

Edit - Though I appreciate TwoCanuck and partner's mammoth effort is probably at the top end of the scale.....

Booze is quite expensive out there, tbh except from the hardcore smokers, those out there who are mid to noob smokers could easily do on a couple of grams a day, 20 euros roughly. With a beer being 3.50 in usual pubs, more in the night clubs, add the entrance fee, plus the 50 euro on the RLD entertainment mostly had by the stag parties. It would rack up probably more than your average stoner would spend. As most people on a night do about 8 pints?

I dont know, this could be rambling, i have just scored the strongest bud ive seen in these lands in a while, its messing with my mind.

[sh@dy]

The actual number of tourist is less relevant than the amount of money spent by the different type of tourist. It would be interesting to see a breakdown of money spent by tourists who would visit only if weed is available versus money spent by all other tourists.

I doubt many couples part with €1600 (+other costs) in ten days on vacation to The Netherlands if they don't partake in weed.

Edit - Though I appreciate TwoCanuck and partner's mammoth effort is probably at the top end of the scale.....

I dont know, this could be rambling, i have just scored the strongest bud ive seen in these lands in a while, its messing with my mind.

to be honest, I dont even remember what you talked about at the beginning....maybe we smoke the same bud?

[Sir Niall of Essex-sire]

I dont know, this could be rambling, i have just scored the strongest bud ive seen in these lands in a while, its messing with my mind.

to be honest, I dont even remember what you talked about at the beginning....maybe we smoke the same bud?[/quote]

I was trying to say that maybe tourists to amsterdam with an interest in Booze, partying and the RLD would spend more money than stoners.

[doobydave]

I can't remember who mentioned it, but I believe there is an upcoming election in The Netherlands. This will be the reason for the number of these articles appearing regarding this issue. They seem to be mostly the same rehashed ideas which have already been forbidden by the EU.

I don't believe that revenue from the Dutch tourist industry would end with the removal of coffeshop-access to foreigners, but I imagine it would be noticeable.
Considering times are tight, I would be very surprised if the Dutch government allowed this revenue to go elsewhere.

[GreatDane]

As long as the possession and consumption of cannabis is tolerated,
I would consider visiting the country. If caught here at home with
any cannabis product in any amount I get fined at least 250 euro.
That's one of the main reasons I and my wife take these breaks in Amsterdam.

[Elnino]

They've been going on about this for years.

Realstically they are going to have a serious fight on their hands. Thus far, their efforts to ban mushrooms and tobacco smoking in pubs/coffee shops haven't exactly been complete successes, and that is nothing like the level which would be required to pull this off.

[Kingdoc]

They've been going on about this for years.

Realstically they are going to have a serious fight on their hands. Thus far, their efforts to ban mushrooms and tobacco smoking in pubs/coffee shops haven't exactly been complete successes, and that is nothing like the level which would be required to pull this off.

Yea thats why i am not tearing my hair out,Ive heard all this before.