Effective from 1st January 2019, Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands and an attractive tourist destination, has applied a new tax on cruise passengers, triggering a wave of complaints by major cruise lines, as well as the largest cruise industry trade body.
In fact, according to data provided by LA Times, MSC Cruises was so unhappy that it reformed its port stop schedules, replacing Amsterdam with nearby Rotterdam.
Additionally, UK-based Cruise & Maritime Voyages also revealed plans to replace most of its Amsterdam port calls.
The decision applies an €8 tourist tax per 24-hour period to all transit passengers older than three years, which includes cruise passengers, according to CLIA.
In this regard, in an official statement to Travel Agent in December, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) expressed ‘disappointment‘ by the decision, as “other day tourists who arrive in Amsterdam by train, bus or car do not have to pay a day tourist tax or any port or other fees“.
In response, the Municipality of Amsterdam’s website explained the increased tax is in response to heavy demands on the city and its public spaces, as a result of large numbers of tourists.
