Will Dutch Tourism Decrease?

That's hot.

They've been debating this for years. In one of the debates I saw on NOS 1, the consensus seemed to be that the Netherlands would be better off without the sort of tourists who would visit only for the coffee bars. But as the article points out, the main target of the law isn't necessarily foreign stoners, but the criminal gangs that have flourished under the current system. I'm waiting for Mr. Steves to comment, as he always holds up the Netherlands as a shining beacon for drug policy.

Go for the coffee, leave with the contact high.

I wonder how a very well known American socialite is taking the news? A couple of years ago I may or may not have been in an Amsterdam coffee shop, and noticed a female sitting by herself "enjoying the vibe". She had an amazing resemblance to a very well known hotel heiress. As she was by herself and not with an entourage, dismissed it as a separated at birth kind of thing. Long story short, a couple of weeks later photos of a hotel chain heiress "enjoying the vibe" at an Amsterdam coffee house appeared in the tabloids, and videos popped up on YouTube;)

I have a feeling you'll be able to find young nationals willing to purchase for tourists, for a fee or a cut. KInd of like winos hanging around the package store to buy teenagers a bottle of whisky or beer, plus a little something extra for themselves.

IMO if there is one thing the Dutch really excel at it's talking out of both sides of their mouths. This story has appeared before. I wonder if they do this to boost tourism? Got to keep the hotels filled. Come to Amsterdam before they shut everything down. Sorry folks. The Dutch love money too much to go through with this.

I went to Amsterdam and didn't inhale...but I did bike, saw windmills, had some great food (french fries and mayo??) and looked at some Van Goghs......so I would go back. And when I did have coffee, it was usually with an apple cake!

its a great city, with or without the weed. have been there five times, three with, two without. great people, lovely architecture, cool museums, and great frites. i feel at home in amsterdam, almost like you are in the u.s. have fun, be safe.

I agree with jeff - I love Amsterdam for its comfortably scruffy atmosphere. The weed scene doesn't bother me :). Live and let live, I say.

I agree with Jeff also. I've been there 3 times (2 with an herbal refreshment) and the vibe of the city alone is enough to keep me coming back for the rest of my life. But I worry that the (supposed) closing of the coffeeshops is a sign that the conservative government is starting to make some changes.

Like Tom said, the hope was that taking a tolerant view of drugs (and prostitution) would take crime out of the industry. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I'm one that would be happier in Amsterdam without the drugs. I'm not sure how long it will take from reining in the coffee houses to reducing the amount of used needles laying around on the ground. I think that will take a crack down on drug use in general.

But without the laid-back atmosphere it's just another European city. For example, Van Gogh, I can drive twenty minutes to the Detroit Institute of Arts and see some of his work. Two hours west of here is the touristy Holland, Michigan. The main attractions are tulips, windmills and the Dutch style architecture. I've visited Amsterdam seven times and despite what goes on--whether it offends you or not--it's a great city. If you know something offends you about a city--like smoke-- then make the adult choice and don't go there. If you want more upscale then there's always Paris, London or Milan. If you like canals well there are other places in Europe with those too. If Amsterdam is doing everything wrong then let's compare and contrast it to Detroit and see who comes out on top? Ask yourself which of these two cities you would walk around late at night? By yourself!

I think Frank II was talking a bit tongue in cheek in his title. Lots of tourists flock to Amsterdam and never do anything more than poke their heads into the famous coffeeshops. Like me, for instance. Though I have been known to indulge in a spot of oude genever. Hope they never ban selling that to us foreigners.