Coronavirus (COVID-19) stops Amsterdam overtourism in its tracks

Deserted Amsterdam City Center Exposes Impact of Overtourism

What a difference a virus makes. Just like other popular cities around the world, Amsterdam went from struggling with overtourism to deserted canals, streets, and squares virtually overnight.

When the pandemic broke out, the Netherlands went into ‘Intelligent Lockdown.’

Effect of the Lockdown

In most Amsterdam neighborhoods the streets were, of course, a lot more quiet than usual. But to a certain extend, life continued.

The big exception was downtown Amsterdam. Where the city’s medieval center is normally teeming with people, the streets and squares were virtually deserted.

For years many Amsterdammers complained about overtourism. But few realized how much of an impact the tourism industry had made — particularly in the center of town.

Airbnb and Nutella-smearing ‘Bakeries’

Years ago Amsterdam’s medieval center had a healthy mix of shops, offices, tourist attractions, and family housing. But as more and more tourists arrived the makeup of the neighborhood began to change.

Tourists shops differently than locals. Where locals frequent grocery stores and specialty shops, most tourists head for McDonald’s and hole-in-the-wall ‘bakeries’ that smear Nutella on everything in sight.

While Amsterdammers buy cheese at the supermarket, a street market stall, or a specialty store, tourists are seduced into spending a lot more money in cheese shops the locals avoid.

Most Amsterdammers wouldn’t be caught dead in an ‘ice cream bakery,’ and would check themselves into a mental hospital if they ever bought an oversized, overpriced stroopwafel.

Unfortunately, tourists all too easily overspend in such tourist-oriented stores and eateries. So, when the lease for a haberdashery or a shoe cobbler’s store comes up for renewal, landlords figure they can get a lot more money for their properties.

When lots of unique, community-oriented shops are replaced by ordinary fast food and tourist tat stores, the character of a neighborhood changes for the worse.

Airbnb destroys communities

Meanwhile, erstwhile affordable housing has largely disappeared off the market due to the popularity of city-destroyer Airbnb and its clones. (You can tell we’re not fans, right? If you use Airbnb, you help rob and destroy communities and cities, including Amsterdam.)

This has priced many families and singles out of the market. There is a multi-year trend of families moving out of the center of Amsterdam — often to other cities.

They’re escaping not just the higher rents or real estate costs, but also the lower quality of life brought on by the barrage of tourists.

General coronavirus measures in Amsterdam

The following basic rules continue to apply to everyone:

• Avoid crowds
• Work from home if possible
• Stay at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) away from non-family members
• Always stay at home if have coronavirus symptoms. If you develop shortness of breath and / or fever, family members must also stay at home
• Wash hands frequently. Cough and sneeze into your elbow, or use tissue paper and throw it out immediately
• If you are 70 years or older, or if you are in a frail health, take extra care

Coronavirus impact on Amsterdam’s tourism industry

In 2019 Amsterdam, a city of 1.1 million people, saw nearly 20 million tourists. Nearly 45% of them come from the Netherlands, by the way.

But now tourism has screeched to a halt — with the hordes stopped in their tracks by the Coronavirus.

What city officials and local activists were unable to accomplish, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) managed to do: stem the overflow of tourists visiting Amsterdam.

Sure, it’s only a temporary reprieve, and the circumstances are far from ideal. But many Amsterdammers — particularly those who live in the city center — are breathing a sigh of relief.

Hotels, B&B, and Airbnb

During the height of the pandemic most hotels (about 75%) and B&B’s were closed. That included the fast majority of accommodations normally available

Video: Amsterdam’s quiet streets

Visit Amsterdam after the Coronavirus crisis

As you can imagine, right now everything is up in the air. Nobody knows how the Coronavirus situation will develop, when restrictions will be lifted, and when tourists will be able to visit Amsterdam again.

If and when travel to Amsterdam starts back up again, the DutchAmsterdam team of Amsterdam Experts will let you know. Be sure to subscribe to our updates:

Article published April 25, 2020. Last updated Friday, July 9, 2021 – 3:04 PM CET