Amsterdam tells UK tourists 'harming' sex and drugs to stay away

The Dutch capital will launch a 'discouragement campaign' to dissuade Britons from visiting, with the city's cannabis cafes and famous red light district proving a major attraction for tourists

The Dutch capital will launch a “discouragement campaign” to repel “harmful” Britons (

Image: RUT/SplashNews.com)

Amsterdam has told UK sex and drug tourists to stay away from the city in a new advertising campaign.

The Dutch capital will launch a 'discouragement campaign' to fend off 'troublesome' Britons by introducing a number of new restrictions.

The cannabis cafes of Amsterdam are often a major pull factor for some troublesome groups of bachelor and bachelor parties, with groups of drunk or stoned young men marching towards the famous red light district causing also problems.

Dutch city councilors said the decision to discourage Britons from attending would be part of a 'targeted digital campaign to discourage foreign visitors who only come to Amsterdam for the alcohol, drugs and sex ".

The 'stay away' campaign will initially focus on British tourists and, if successful, will be used to tackle nuisance groups from other countries, local broadcaster Noord Holland reported.< /p>

Sofyan Mbarki, the city's deputy mayor who is in charge of tourism measures, said: "The purpose of the discouragement campaign is to keep out visitors who we don't want.

Groups of drunk or stoned young men marching towards the notorious red-light district also causing trouble in the city (

Picture:

AFP via Getty Images)

"If we love the city, we must act now. We must act to avoid nuisance and overcrowding.

"Amsterdam is a global city and bustle and liveliness go hand in hand, but to keep our city livable we must choose boundaries over irresponsible growth."

Mbarki added: "We want to get rid of commercial parties who make their money from vulgar tourists...