Amsterdam Launches “Stay Away” Campaign to Crack Down on Anti-Social Behavior

“Coming to Amsterdam for a messy night? Stay away” is the City Of Sin’s message to rowdy British tourists. In a new geo-targeted campaign aimed at reducing nuisance tourism, Amsterdam’s authorities are digitally discouraging drugs-and-booze visitors.  

The ad campaign, which starts this week, highlights the convictions that tag along with excessive drinking and drug benders. Video ads will pop up when people in Britain search for terms like “stag party in Amsterdam”, “cheap hotel Amsterdam” and “pub crawl Amsterdam.” 

One warning video shows a drunk young man getting arrested, receiving a hefty fine and spending the night in jail. 

In a statement, the city of Amsterdam said that the stay away campaign aims at Britons aged 18-35. However, the ads could be extended to other EU countries “in the course of the year.” 

Speaking of Amsterdam’s efforts to clean up its raunchy reputation, deputy Mayor Sofyan Mbarki said the city “is taking more measures than other large cities in Europe.”

“Visitors are still welcome, but not if they misbehave and cause nuisance. As a city, we are saying: we’d rather not have this, so stay away.”

A side-by-side “how to Amsterdam” campaign will also remind tourists about manners through posters, hotel lobby screens, and hosts.

Research suggests that young British and Dutch men tend to cause the most nuisance with stag dos and alcohol benders. This is not a new phenomenon, as Amsterdam residents have been complaining of Brits urinating in public spaces, stripping off, and causing drunken brawls for years.