Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The two cities stand together for the idea of more sustainable approaches to holiday and travel practices
Just before the start of this past weekend, the mayors of Amsterdam and Barcelona, Femke Halsema and Ada Colau, reaffirmed their alliance to stand against the trend of tourism overcrowding and to promote more sustainable policies for tourism development. The Dutch capital’s mayor visited her counterpart to share experiences from their work in that field and to touch base in the wake of a resurging post-COVID tourism impetus.
The two capitals have been working together for years, and have pushed for similar measures, such as regulating hotel activity in the central areas or fighting against illegal tourist flats and the overcrowding of certain areas.
The mayor of Barcelona has announced the reactivation of the shock plan against illegal tourist flats, a plan promoted by the current municipal government that gave good results. The effort put an end to the uncontrolled proliferation of this activity, going from about 6,000 illegal tourist flats to a very low number, thanks to the inspection and sanctioning activity.
"With the recovery of tourism after the pandemic, we do not want this activity to return to the city," said Colau, who recalled that economic activity "works better if there is regulation."
The reactivation of the plan allows a team of more than 70 people to work, including 25 ‘street viewers’ to prevent the return of illegal activity. More than 21,000 ads have already been tracked on digital platforms, and only about 360 flats offering tourist activity without permission have been detected.
The platforms will be asked to immediately withdraw these announcements. The corresponding proceedings will be initiated, which can end with a fine of between 3,000 and 60,000 euros.
It is also planned to launch an information campaign to remind visitors not to stay in unlicensed flats, and to the public that tourist accommodation services cannot be offered without permission.
The mayor of Amsterdam praised Barcelona's leadership and the commitment of the two capitals to work in a network and in coordination with other European cities. Femke Halsema has also been in favour of limiting the activity of airports, especially with regard to short flights that have their alternative by train.
She emphasized the importance of continuing to collaborate and share experiences in order to work for sustainable and non-crowded tourist activity.
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
Italian cities and regions continue experimenting with creative proposals to curb overtourism effects
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team