The city council of Amsterdam announced plans to increase tourist tax rates in order to generate an additional €30 million for the city’s finances, according to finance
chief Hester van Buren. However, Van Buren noted that the increase in tourist tax would not significantly impact the number of tourists visiting the city. In 2022, tourist taxes generated almost €140 million for Amsterdam, which is struggling to reduce the impact of mass tourism.
Among the city’s 2023 spending plans, €7.5 million will be allocated as a one-time payment to ensure that public transportation is not affected by the decline in passenger numbers.
The city has also allocated €100 million for a cycle bridge over the IJ waterway in the east of the city, but the total cost is expected to be at least €300 million, and Amsterdam is hoping for national government funding.
Other projects include a slavery museum (€29 million), a new theatre complex in Nieuw West (€97 million), and funds to reduce waiting lists for youth care services (€10 million) and provide help and housing for newcomers to the city (€9 million). Van Buren emphasized the city’s priorities for the coming year, but noted that firm budgets had not yet been set due to other factors affecting the city’s finances. Photo by Gabinho, Wikimedia commons.