Sex, Drugs And ;)
The face of Amsterdam is about to change, Mayor Job Cohen wants the sex tourist resort cleaning up. He wants to close down half the famous Coffee shops and the girls in the windows, claiming that they encourage troublesome groups like stag parties.
Local people involved in the adult trade fear that this could drive the culture underground where the girls will be in danger. And drugs will be traded on the street by ruthless criminal gangs which is exactly the reason he claims to be wanting to close these places down.
The local council says that it wants to encourage higher paying visitors who will visit their museums and art galleries.
Prostitutes union De Rode Dradd Spokeswoman Metje Blaak said: “It’s a very bad plan that just pushes the trade underground where the criminals can get at them.”
“He’s making the city boring. Amsterdam used to be about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Now we have nothing. No sex, no drugs and no rock ‘n’ roll.”
This raises the question, why do you want to visit Amsterdam apart from its culture. Uhmmm, I can’t think of many things. So will this action have a detrimental effect on tourism?
If I were Job I would be giving it some serious thought.
Now see, Amsterdam as it is NOW is a perfect place for me. Go do my geeky stuff – the museums and such – during the day, and then go get stoned and horny at night. My dream vacation. 🙂
But you know, I think the whole sex/drugs thing IS part of Amsterdam’s culture. Sure, maybe the more recent culture, but I wouldn’t say that the two things are mutually exclusive, either.
And I would definitely think it would have a detrimental effect on its tourism business. Oh, it’ll still be there… but no where near the numbers they have now.
I have to wonder where this is coming from, though. Why is it suddenly unacceptable? That’s the more interesting – and I think the answer would be very telling – question.