Amsterdam - The Amsterdam city council has taken a significant step to address its challenges with mass tourism by imposing a ban on cruise ships from entering the Dutch capital. The decision aims to both limit the number of visitors and combat pollution concerns associated with cruise ship activities. According to reports from the BBC on Friday, the city council believes that cruise ships do not align with Amsterdam's sustainable aspirations.

As a consequence of this ban, the central cruise terminal located on the River IJ (IJ is a body of water, formerly a bay, in the Dutch province of North Holland), near the city's main train station, will be closed. This latest measure comes as part of the city's ongoing efforts to manage the impact of mass tourism effectively.

In recent times, Amsterdam has implemented several measures to control the influx of visitors. In May, the city council prohibited cannabis smoking in the streets of the famous red-light district, aiming to maintain public order and cleanliness. Earlier, in March, an online campaign was launched to discourage young British men from holding their bachelor parties in Amsterdam, with the intention of mitigating the issues related to excessive partying and disruptive behavior.

Amsterdam remains a highly attractive destination, attracting approximately 20 million visitors each year. However, the city's authorities are committed to finding a balance that preserves its unique charm and sustainability while managing the pressures of tourism influx.