Dutch Windmill Hotspot to Introduce Tourist Fee
Quaint Dutch village
In a move sparking both curiosity and concern, Zaanse Schans, a small Dutch village known for its iconic windmills and traditional charm, is set to charge tourists an entry fee starting next spring. The €17.50 fee, equivalent to about $20.50 or £15, will apply to all visitors from outside the local area. The goal? To manage the overwhelming influx of tourists that has left the village struggling to cope with its own popularity.
With just about 100 residents, Zaanse Schans saw over 2.6 million visitors in the last year alone. Local officials say the volume is unsustainable. You may find it hard to believe, but this quaint location, only a short trip from Amsterdam, has gone from tranquil to overcrowded in a few short years. And if projections hold, this year could see nearly 2.8 million tourists crossing its narrow paths.
Museum director Marieke Verweij explained that many visitors forget, or simply don’t know, that people actually live in this historic area. The consequences go beyond crowding. Visitors reportedly wander into private gardens, take intrusive photos, and even knock on doors or peek through windows using selfie sticks. The loss of privacy has made life increasingly difficult for locals.
You might be wondering how this new fee system works. Much like many post-pandemic museum experiences, tourists will be encouraged to book and pay for entry online. Included in the price is access to the village’s museum and the interiors of the famous windmills, two attractions that currently require separate payments. This package deal is meant to improve the experience for visitors while also helping the community make money.
One of the best things about the museum is a painting by French impressionist Claude Monet that he made when he visited in 1871. The windmills are more than simply pretty places to take pictures. They show how Dutch people were creative in the 17th century. They were used to grind grain, make paint pigments, and cut wood. It’s a cultural and historical experience rolled into one.
If half of the current visitor numbers remain consistent after the new policy takes effect, the village could generate approximately €24.5 million annually. The local council plans to use the revenue for infrastructure improvements and windmill maintenance. This includes much-needed additions like public toilets, which have been a concern given the surge in footfall.
Not everyone is on board with the decision. Local business owners, particularly those running shops and restaurants, fear the fee could deter tourists. Sterre Schaap, co-owner of a local gift shop, believes the added cost will especially impact families. For a family of four, entry fees and parking could easily exceed €100, leaving less money for shopping or dining. A lot of small companies rely on travelers who just happen to stroll in.
There are more than just trinkets in the village’s stores; they’re part of the draw. Workers wear traditional clothes, while craftsmen show off local crafts like producing cheese and creating wooden clogs. These stores are in wooden structures that have been there for hundreds of years, including a gift shop that has been around since 1623. However, those that visit have different opinions on the admittance cost. Some others, like a visitor from Canada, think the price is too high only to see windmills. Some others, like Elisia, who lives in the area and is originally from Albania, think it’s a reasonable price to keep the charm and deal with the crowds.
Steve, who is visiting from the U.S., understands all viewpoints. He typically doesn’t like to pay for extras, but he said that if the ticket includes entrance to the museum and the windmill, it makes the trip more worth it. For a lot of people, the extra structure could make their experience more complete and less hectic.
Globally, similar practices are emerging. Bhutan, for instance, charges a daily fee for all visitors, and Venice recently introduced a €5 fee for day-trippers. In the UK and U.S., travel authorizations and visa charges are already standard. But villages charging entry fees remain rare.
Some comparable cases include Clovelly in Devon, England, and Civita di Bagnoregio and Corenno Plinio in Italy. Penglipuran in Bali, Indonesia, is another example. These locations have taken similar measures to balance tourism with preservation.
As the tourism season approaches, Zaanse Schans is preparing for a shift. Visitors will soon be expected to show pre-paid tickets rather than just stroll in freely. Whether this change improves sustainability or limits accessibility remains to be seen.
This may be one of the best stories to follow if you’re going on a trip. The tax is a sign of a larger worldwide discourse about responsible tourism and how to strike a balance between inviting tourists and protecting local life. As the regulation goes into effect, there will probably be breaking news updates, so this article may change in real time, especially for places that are dealing with the same tourist problems.
Discover more insights in the original article on BBC
