Airifying Amsterdam: An investigation into residents’ perceptions of tourism and short-term rentals in Amsterdam.

Abstract

Amsterdam has seen substantial growth in tourism in recent years. This, combined with the emergence of the sharing economy, has resulted in the proliferation of platform-mediated short-term rentals in the city. As the daily lives of the city’s residents become ever-more intertwined with visitors, the tolerance that the city is renowned for has become increasingly fraught. Overcrowded streets, sleepless nights and feelings of alienation have become increasingly pertinent issues for Amsterdammers.

Building on the literature discussing neighbourhood, gentrification, urban tourism and touristification, this thesis explores the perceptions held by Amsterdam’s residents towards tourism and the short-term rental industry in the city. Original empirical work, including a survey of residents’ perceptions, as well as interviews with a range of stakeholders in the city serve to elucidate these perceptions, the policies that have led to the current situation, and the hopes for the future.

Given the unique context within which this research took place, perceptions about tourism and short-term rentals for the period leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the hopes for tourism in a post-COVID Amsterdam were sought.

It was found that the majority of those surveyed were disenfranchised by the approach taken towards tourism and short-term rentals in the city, with those who identified strong cohesion within their neighbourhood and those who were aware of short-term renals in their area displaying heightened feelings of disenfranchisement.

The thesis culminates with suggestions for policy going forward, with a focus on the role of spatial planners, as well as potential avenues to be explored in future research.