This is an English translation. The original Dutch article is authoritative.
After the relaxation of the lockdown measures, Amsterdam city centre is again busier with day trippers and tourists. Here is a passage from an article in de Volkskrant from a few weeks ago;
“they are back; the budget tourists eating from plastic containers on the steps of the Albert Heijn behind the Royal Palace. At Madame Tussauds there is a short queue again, on the canals visitors sail again with bare chests in rental sloops, in the Damstraat coffeeshop owners hiss at passers-by as of old; ‘hey guys! smoke weed, drink beer!’"
Among city centre residents, local political parties, and all sorts of institutions up to the expensive hotel chains, a petition was started during the lockdown from a super silent Amsterdam city centre (_Stop drug tourism in Amsterdam – the hospitable city where not everything is allowed_) stating that mass tourism to Amsterdam should not return, particularly that part which they consider low-value tourism. Regarding the latter, an accusing finger is pointed at prostitution in the Red Light District and the coffeeshops, as if they attract so-called low-value tourism. With the above passage in de Volkskrant portraying coffeeshop owners as pushy individuals luring tourists into coffeeshops, this petition is handed a very easy argument on a silver platter.
But the question is whether that article is actually correct!
There is no coffeeshop in the Damstraat at all. Furthermore, alcohol has not been served in coffeeshops since the late nineties!!! Additionally, in my entire career, I have never seen a coffeeshop owner on the street luring customers in this way. On the contrary, where coffeeshop staff work on the street, it is specifically to prevent nuisance for the surroundings (a service that largely takes place in consultation with fellow entrepreneurs and local residents). And finally, there is no question of coffeeshops attracting low-value tourism (see the many articles on this subject on this website).
Conclusion: Yet another example of institutionalised stigma. In this case, regarding coffeeshops.
August de Loor,
Amsterdam 14 July 2020