This year, 393 ships are expected at the quays of Zaanstad. The large floating hotels cause nuisance to the residents, but the municipality is happy with it. The tourists who stay on the ships are good for the entrepreneurs in the city and the region.
It is now peak season for river cruise ships, resulting in a busy quay in Zaandam. Partly because Amsterdam is overflowing with tourism, the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has agreed to spread the river cruise ships over surrounding municipalities. With the growth in the number of ships, the number of complaints in Zaandam is also growing.
Hundreds of river cruises
This year, 393 river cruises have reserved a place at the quay in Zaandam. The municipality says that this number is not fixed, it could be even more or less. “It is true that the berths for ships are busier than in recent years. We also see this and it has our full attention,” the municipality said in a statement.
Now that corona seems to be behind us, tourism is returning to its old form.
Last year, for example, there were 333 river cruises with a reservation. A number that stood at 142 in 2021 and 125 in 2020 during the years of the pandemic.
Nuisance
The municipality is aware that the ships cause nuisance to local residents. “In recent weeks, we have received several reports from residents about cruise ships that do not use the shore power facilities. We are aware of this,” said a spokesperson for the municipality.
Because one of the cabinets that supplies power is currently broken, the boats also depend on their own generator. This causes noise and odor nuisance in the neighbourhood. To prevent the cabinets from being used incorrectly and therefore breaking down, user manuals in various languages have recently been posted. In this way, Zaanstad hopes to prevent defects in the electrical cabinets on shore in the future.
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Despite the nuisance, Zaanstad likes to see tourists. The city therefore hopes that they will stay for several days and visit the region. “The Inntell hotel is now one of the most photographed places in the Netherlands. Moreover, tourism also has added value for residents, such as more employment and better facilities. For entrepreneurs and the catering industry, the tourists generated a higher turnover.”
In addition to the Zaanse Schans, many tourists who are on the boats also go to Marken, Volendam and Keukenhof. How long the river cruises are at the quay varies. The boats can be there for a short time, but also for several days.
Information
The neighborhood is not happy because they have not been informed and there are now suddenly many ships in front of the door. According to the municipality, the information was indeed shared publicly during the municipal council via the council information system. The peak season for the boats ends at the end of May. According to the Zaanstad, almost all river boats will be gone by October and local residents will be able to enjoy their view again in the winter.