The Red Light District in Amsterdam is known for its lively nightlife, but the ever-growing population of rowdy British tourists has caused concern among locals. Booze and drugs are said to cause nuisance especially among this group of tourists. To address these problems, the City of Amsterdam recently launched the “Stay Away” campaign to ensure that this group of tourists stays away from the Red Light District.

Problems with British tourists

Particularly in recent years, the Red Light District has experienced an increase in disruptive British tourists. These tourists allegedly go to the Red Light District primarily to party, drink, and smoke weed. They often cause problems such as loud noise, vandalism, and drunkenness. These problems negatively affect local residents and businesses in the area.

To address these problems, the City of Amsterdam decided to launch a campaign targeting this specific group of tourists.

Amsterdam Red Light District

The “Stay Away” campaign

The “Stay Away” campaign targets British tourists who come to Amsterdam to party and visit the Red Light District. This effort by the council focuses on creating awareness among these tourists about the impact of their behavior on locals and businesses. It uses various marketing and communication tools to get this message across.

The campaign includes posters and flyers distributed in hotels and hostels in the center of Amsterdam. These posters and flyers contain information about the negative impact of these tourists’ behavior on the local community. Advertisements are also placed on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram targeting this specific group of tourists.

When Britons search on related terms, they are shown warning ads highlighting the risks and consequences of nuisance and excessive alcohol and drug use, including fines, arrest, a criminal record, hospitalization and health damage.

The campaign shows a young man collapsing over a bench and being taken away in an ambulance, while another part of the campaign shows a man being handcuffed by police and fingerprinted. The overlapping text warns visitors looking for a night out on the town, drinking, and smoking cannabis in Amsterdam of possible fines, hospitalization, criminal records, and health damage.

Part of broader plan for a safer city

The “Stay away” campaign is part of a broader plan to make Amsterdam’s inner city, particularly the Red Light District, safer. Amsterdam is simultaneously launching the “How to Amsterdam” campaign to inform visitors already in the city via social media and warning signs on the streets about the prohibition on urinating in public, noise pollution, excessive drunkenness and buying drugs from street dealers. 

There also seem to be plans to ban prostitution in the Red Light District and move it to a zone outside the city centre where more regulation and better control is possible.

Moreover, from May it will be forbidden to smoke a joint in the Red Light District.  A measure that surprises many tourists and locals. Is smoking cannabis really the cause of nuisance?

Stay away campaign Amsterdam

Reactions to the ‘Stay Away’ campaign

The “Stay Away” campaign has received both positive and negative reactions. Some people feel that the campaign is a necessary step to address the problems with nuisance British tourists. Others, however, feel that the campaign is too generalizing and that it lumps all British tourists together. After all, there are plenty of Brits who visit the Red Light District. They smoke a joint in a coffee shop, and behave normally.

British media have also reacted to the campaign. Some media accuse Amsterdam of discrimination and claim that the campaign targets all British tourists, not just the troublesome ones. Others fear that this measure will tarnish Amsterdam’s image and reduce tourism. This, of course, affects the existence of coffee shops.

However, the City of Amsterdam has stated that the campaign is aimed at a specific group of tourists who cause nuisance in the Red Light District, not all tourists.

Looking for a coffee shop in a peaceful environment?

Do you want to enjoy a peaceful environment without nuisance? Then come to Coffeeshop The Border at the edge of the Amsterdamse Bos! Unlike the busy Red Light District, we offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy our high-quality cannabis products. We stand for quality, safety and a great experience. Come by and find out for yourself!