Brits tell Dutch media they'll ignore Amsterdam anti-tourism campaign

We don’t give a Dam! Brits tell the Dutch they ‘won’t pay any notice’ to Amsterdam’s campaign to put off British tourists from visiting the city because they’re ‘just going to have fun’

• City of Amsterdam has launched a campaign to discourage rowdy UK tourists
• But Brits have mocked the Dutch capitals attempts to tell them to ‘stay away’ 

Britons have hit back at a campaign by the city of Amsterdam to discourage UK tourists from sex, drugs and booze filled trips, telling Dutch media that they ‘won’t pay any notice’ to adverts threatening arrests and fines.

Dutch outlet De Telegraaf conducted an interview with several Brits in Amsterdam after the city launched the initiative earlier this week telling rowdy UK holidaymakers – in particular young British men – to ‘stay away’.

The interviewer showed the men screenshots from the adverts which depicted young men being locked up after ‘a messy night out’ on the streets of the Dutch capital, asking whether the Brits still felt welcome in the city.

‘I don’t really take any notice of it – I’ll just come here and have fun,’ one responded. ‘Do you really want to get rid of everyone?’

Another chipped in: ‘Most of the population aren’t like that,’ arguing that the city had established its own reputation as a party destination.

‘Amsterdam as a city is a party, outgoing, where you can enjoy yourself… as long as the soul of that is here, it will never stop.’

Dutch outlet De Telegraaf conducted an interview with several Brits in Amsterdam after the city launched the initiative earlier this week telling rowdy UK holidaymakers – in particular young British men – to ‘stay away’. ‘I don’t really take any notice of it – I’ll just come here and have fun,’ one responded

‘Amsterdam as a city is a party, outgoing, where you can enjoy yourself… as long as the soul of that is here, it will never stop,’ one said, arguing Amsterdam was responsible for its own reputation

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Be9yFONsMow%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US

The Dutch capital launched a campaign discouraging tourists planning drug and alcohol-fuelled parties from visiting the city – starting with young British men

Others however admitted that Brits have garnered a negative reputation in many countries for their drunken antics and lewd behaviour.

READ MORE: Spain’s move to snub Brits in search of ‘upmarket’ tourists is causing MISERY for Mallorca and Ibiza locals 

‘Brits abroad… they don’t make a good name for themselves,’ one interviewee shrugged. ‘They’re probably the worst.’

Some have welcomed the campaign as a stand against ‘glassy-eyed tourist zombies staggering about’ as Amsterdam became the latest holiday destination to try and discourage British tourists from booze-filled trips. 

But many Brits took to social media to mock the campaign, arguing that telling holidaymakers to avoid sex, drugs and booze is a sure-fire way to encourage more people to sample the delights of the Dutch capital.

Twitter user Edward Moye said: ‘I wasn’t gonna go to Amsterdam but now they’ve highlighted what’s on offer maybe I will.’

Another user, Duncan Goodfellow, said: ‘That’s more of an advert to go.’ 

A third said: ‘Thank you for your offer, we politely reject it and look forward to seeing you soon.’ 

Others questioned whether the campaign would work.

Social media user Rupert said: ‘Don’t think 18-year-old me would have taken much notice of this.’ 

Twitter user Ben Coates said: ‘Anyone who thinks that telling young British men they’re at risk of having a ”messy night and getting trashed” will put them off going has clearly never met a young British man.’

Another person added: ‘I promise you… campaigns telling people to not do something do not work.’

The campaign features a staged video showing a young man being arrested after he was found stumbling along the city’s streets. The video is overlaid with red writing which reads: ‘So coming to Amsterdam for a messy night? Stay away’

Brits have mocked Amsterdam after the city said it wanted to discourage Brits from sex, drugs and booze holidays. Pictured: Prostitutes stand behind windows in the Red Light District

Some said Amsterdam needed first to look in the mirror and realise what the city was offering.

Twitter user Richard Whiting said: ‘Honestly, if you don’t want that sort of clientele then shut down the red light district and coffee shops.’ 

Furious Amsterdam prostitutes also condemned the campaign, and are set to protest against earlier closing times and plans to move sex workers from the world famous red light district to large ‘erotic centres’ on the outskirts of the city. 

The city’s new campaign – dubbed ‘Stay Away’ – will involve people seeing special warnings when they search for terms such as ‘stag party Amsterdam’ or ‘pub crawl Amsterdam’. 

The city has long been trying to curb rowdy behaviour and events such as stag-dos, especially near the famed red light area where sex workers operate. 

Authorities are looking at moving sex workers to large ‘erotic centres’ to the outskirts of the city

New ads would show the ‘risks and consequences of anti-social behaviour’ such as drugs and alcohol (File image)

Amsterdam’s new campaign – dubbed ‘Stay Away’ – will involve people seeing special warnings when they search for terms such as ‘stag party Amsterdam’ or ‘pub crawl Amsterdam’

‘The campaign will commence in Great Britain, aimed at males in the age category of 18 to 35 years,’ Amsterdam city council said in a statement. 

‘This online discouragement campaign is aimed at nuisance tourists who want to visit Amsterdam to ”go wild”, with all the ensuing consequences.’

The ads will show the ‘risks and consequences of anti-social behaviour and excessive drug and alcohol abuse’ including fines, arrest, criminal records, hospitalisation and health issues.

Amsterdam recently announced a ban on smoking cannabis in the Red Light district, coupled with further restrictions on alcohol consumption and earlier closures for cafes, bars and sex clubs. 

People searching for terms such as ‘stag party Amsterdam’ or ‘pub crawl Amsterdam’ will be shown warning advertisements, it said.

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