Instagram hotspot windmill village overrun by tourists sparks upset over new fee
Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands is considering a US$20 entrance fee to reduce the crowds drawn by its picture-perfect windmills and houses
With its historic windmills and gabled wooden houses nestling by a meandering river, the picture-perfect area of Zaanse Schans is a must-see for any visitor to the Netherlands.
But the village near Amsterdam has become “a national symbol of overtourism”, according to local authorities, who now want to charge an entrance fee.
The fierce debate over the €17.50 (US$20) ticket planned for next year comes during a global backlash against mass tourism that has seen hotspots like Venice charging for day trips.
On a glorious summer day, long queues for the windmills snake outside the doors and crowds shuffle over bridges, waiting in line for Instagram-friendly snaps of the bucolic scenery. Buses disgorge scores of day-tripping tourists all day long, packing into a relatively small area that is public and free to visit – for now.
The council in nearby Zaanstad says the fee is vital to preserve the heritage buildings, which are coming under “severe pressure” from high tourist numbers.