[Timon3]

> So many municipalities would kill for a large number of people to come in, pay locals and local taxes, and then leave without using any social services.

This is in opposition to your quote. Mayor Halsema said the tourists are at international chains, you're talking about paying locals. Money spent at these chains isn't contributing to the local economy as much as actually spending money at local shops is.

[kasey_junk]

Locals still work at international chains and they pay taxes though.

It’s not as much as local businesses but it’s more than nothing, unless the mayors claim is that those international businesses are negative impacts on the economy, in which case why not ban them rather than the cruise ships?

I’d guess the cruise ships are just an easy scapegoat because they are considered unfashionable.

[ethanbond]

Or because they’re the only vector by which tourists interact with Amsterdam in a <24hr span?

Thousand and thousands of people arriving, confused and not necessarily having been excited about Amsterdam in particular, and then leaving within 8 hours?

Seems believable that cruise tourists are unlike any other type.

[LouisSayers]

I live in a town that has cruise ships come in (in New Zealand) and it seems they often have activities planned as they hop on tour buses, minivans etc and go off to do things for the day.

I imagine the same would apply to ppl arriving in Amsterdam - being aware of activities to do in the city.

They are unlike other tourists, but I wouldn't jump to assuming that's a bad thing.

[midasuni]

Their passengers don’t pay hotels, often eat most of their meals on board, inject far less into the economy than someone staying in a hotel but still take up valuable resources of the city.

[mcpackieh]

This kind of thinking gutted small towns across America. Main Street businesses folded and were boarded up, replaced by mcdonalds and shartmart. Economic death for the town.

[kasey_junk]

I think what I’m suggesting is that if you think McDonalds and Walmart are a net negative (I’m sympathetic) you just ban those businesses. Not some derivative customer base.