Ice-cream parlours, cheese stores and bicycle rentals

19 November 2017

The centre of Amsterdam has 177 businesses targeting tourists and shops selling food and drinks for immediate consumption. Those include at least 23 ice-cream parlours, 24 cheese stores and 31 bicycle rentals, according to a list (pdf) published by the Amsterdam Municipality.

According to the Accounting Office, there were only 8 ice-cream parlours, 9 cheese stores and 13 bicycle rentals in 2008. After a peak in 2015, the number of tourist businesses seems to have declined a little, although it’s also possible that a stricter definition has been used in the latest count.

The list published by the municipality includes not only shops, but also tacky tourist attractions. Or, as the municipality defines them, facilities «targeting the desire of visitors for a (taste) experience, sensation and/or (group) entertainment, in which the possible artistic, historic or educational character is secondary and that are characterised by a for-profit operation». Examples are the Sex Museum, Madame Tussaud, various marihuana museums and BODY WORLDS.

In October, the municipality has decided not to allow any new tourist businesses in the city centre. The city says the quality of the centre as a retail location as well as its liveability are decreasing. Council members Jorrit Nuijens (GroenLinks) and Tiers Bakker (SP) had urged the municipality to take measures.

Source: dirkmjk | Categories: Data