Amsterdam’s city council has proposed the establishment of a new erotica centre, intending to relocate the Red Light District. The building will accommodate up to 100 sex workers, providing them with facilities such as work breaks, according to the proposal.
The Red Light District is Amsterdam’s biggest tourism attraction. It is located in the heart of the city.
The city council’s decision comes after numerous complaints from residents about the illegal activities, crime and chaos caused by visitors to the Red Light District. The council believes moving legal prostitution out of the city centre would mitigate these issues.
However, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has voiced concerns about the plan, stating that the proposed locations for the new brothel are too close to its building in the southern business district of Amsterdam. According to the EMA, this relocation would lead to ‘safety, security and nuisance problems’ for its staff and visiting delegates.
‘The change in location of the Red Light District is motivated by concerns about nuisance, drug dealing, drunkenness and disorderly behaviour,’ the EMA said in a statement. ‘We are extremely concerned that this will create safety, security and nuisance problems for our staff and visiting delegates who often have to leave late at night.’
With the iconic district facing an uncertain future, one wonders how important its cultural significance is to Amsterdam.
A brief history of the Red Light District
The Red Light District, also known as De Wallen, is a famous area in the heart of Amsterdam. This district is known for its adult entertainment, including prostitution, sex shops and other related businesses.
Folklorists claim that the term “red-light district” was coined in Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1890s, where railroad workers would leave their red lanterns outside the doors of prostitutes to be roused when they had to return to work. The glow from these lanterns on busy nights gave rise to the name “red-light district”. This term has been used for centuries in various cultures and regions, with the colour red serving as a universal symbol for trade.
The history of the Red Light District dates back to the 14th century when Amsterdam was a small fishing village. During this time, sailors would visit the city and spend their nights in local taverns and brothels. As Amsterdam grew into a major port city, the Red Light District became a hub for the sex trade.
In the 17th century, the Dutch East India Company brought many sailors to Amsterdam, and the Red Light District grew even more popular. Many women from other parts of Europe also came to the city to work in the sex industry.
Despite attempts by the city government to regulate prostitution in the Red Light District, the industry continued to thrive. The area became known for its unique architecture, with narrow alleyways and small rooms where prostitutes could meet their clients.
During World War II, the Nazis occupied Amsterdam and forced many women in the Red Light District to work in brothels for their soldiers. After the war, the Dutch government worked to eliminate prostitution in the Red Light District, but the industry persisted.
Today, the Red Light District remains a popular destination for tourists and locals. While prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, there are strict regulations in place to protect the safety and well-being of sex workers. How would the district’s closure or relocation impact Amsterdam’s tourism?
The Red Light District’s effects on Amsterdam’s tourism
Europe is experiencing a surge in tourism, with the UN World Tourism Organization predicting that the continent will reach its international travel volume this year. Despite this, Amsterdam is taking steps to discourage party tourism with its “Stay Away” campaign.
A canal in Amsterdam
The city plans to ban smoking cannabis in public in the Red Light District, while bars and restaurants will close early on select days and sex-worker venues will close earlier. The city council also wants to cap the number of visitors at 20 million and discourage businesses and tourists that misuse Amsterdam’s image as a free and open city.
These measures are part of the “Tourism in a Balance in Amsterdam” plan, developed to preserve residents’ quality of life and combat “nuisance” tourism. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has said that the city would like to attract tourists who come for the wealth and beauty of cultural institutions, not those who only come to walk around drunk and stoned. However, about 17% of visitors to Amsterdam in 2022 visited the Red Light District, while about 25% participated in party activities in the city, such as visiting coffee shops and clubs.
The party crowd has influenced business development in Amsterdam, especially in the proliferation of pancake shops to cater to stoned travellers. Overcrowding, road incidents, noise and Airbnb effects on rental prices have also affected the city’s quality of life. To give residents a rest, Amsterdam had to put the brakes on tourism promotion at one point. The city council wants to prioritise residents’ wishes and reinforce the trend that communities are no longer spectators in travel.
Amsterdam is part of the growing list of destinations moving away from mass tourism due to community frustration with the negative consequences of tourism. The city is embracing regenerative tourism, a pivot from mass tourism, by changing its image, focusing on its rich cultural history, and driving traffic to lesser-known hidden gems. However, visitors continue to promote the Red Light District, particularly on social media, despite the city’s efforts to discourage party tourism.
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