IG RiverCruise and River Cruise Europe presented a concept for managed tourism at a policy breakfast held in Amsterdam earlier this month.
According to a statement, challenges faced by Amsterdam’s tourism sector were discussed at the event together with experts from the field.
The number of incoming visitors arriving by plane and ship in Amsterdam is rising, causing peak-time congestion and pressure on specific public spaces and residents.
Using river cruises is believed to be a part of solution to create a more inclusive, fair, and future-proof travel and leisure ecosystem.
With fewer passengers compared to other ships– the smaller river cruise groups are thought to be less likely to overwhelm historic sites and cultural attractions.
Operators can also strategically distribute their visitors to less-visited neighborhoods, decreasing pressure on the city center and enabling a more balanced tourism ecosystem.
“We support preserving Amsterdam’s livability and cultural character,” said Sascha Gill, vice-president IGRC. “Our river cruises carry approximately 200 passengers, making these groups easy to manage.”
According to the press release, river cruises contribute €221 million to Amsterdam’s economy, generate 365,000 hotel nights, and support nearly 2,000 jobs, and all while representing only 2% of Amsterdam’s total tourist volume.
Spreading travel flows more evenly across the city is seen as a way to maximize local benefits for residents and businesses and reduce negative impacts on neighborhoods and cultural heritage.
Smaller vessels can also dock more easily, allowing direct access to town centers, which is said to eliminate transfer-related pollution.
“Amsterdam stands at a crossroads. We believe the city can reimagine tourism as a force that strengthens communities and provides value rather than strains them,” added Monic van der Heyden of River Cruise Europe.
“I’m happy to see that we can discuss manageable/managed tourism openly today. As IG RiverCruise and River Cruise Europe we’re ready to be part of the solution.”
