Differences Between The 9 Streets Area And Dam Square Area In Amsterdam

Reasons for research
The means of this research are to provide an overview of the potential causes of the differences between the 9 Streets area and the Dam Square area in Amsterdam, in terms of tourism demand, supply and impacts. By conducting this research we hope to provide information for companies, entrepreneurs, travel agencies, NGO’s and other stakeholders who are interested in developing, improving or analyzing tourism as a product in the mentioned areas in Amsterdam.

Limitations of our research
When conducting this research, we tried to be as objective as possible and for example not let our prejudices about tourists and the areas interfere with our research results. Being not obtrusive to tourists and locals was also important
By collecting information for our research we interviewed as many tourists as possible and asked them the same questions so we could easily compare their answers. After our two Amsterdam fieldtrips, we processed the collected information and drew out our conclusions.

Amsterdam's city center: the Dam Square
"Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin." (Green, 2012)

One of the two areas we observed and examined is the Dam Square district, or simply called the Dam. The town square in the historical center of Amsterdam is one of the well-known places in the city and it has much to offer for tourists and locals like, the famous National Monument, the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace), the Gothic church (Nieuwe Kerk), the premier department store "De Bijenkorf", the popular wax statuary emporium "Madame Tussauds" as well as different clothing stores and shops. Approximately 750 meters south of the main transportation hub, the Centraal Station, the Dam Square is easy reachable, open build and has an inviting touch, so that no one will miss the beauty of the capital
But in spite of this, the area has only gained publicity among tourists in the past couple of decades. The idea to promote the 9 Streets area as a shopping area was generated by the Dutch artist and entrepreneur Djoeke Wessing. She wanted to give the area the same allure as the Jordaan had, and meanwhile stimulate more harmony and collaboration between entrepreneurs, but also attract more tourists to the relatively unknown area. Wessing’s idea made the 9 Streets area how it is today. There are a lot of idyllic and authentic shops in the area, such as artisanal businesses, cheese shops and lots of specialized shops selling everything from antiques to fashion. The area also offers galleries, restaurants, coffee stores and small, hidden cafes. Taking this in account, we would describe this area as idyllic, small-scale and picturesque with lots of leisure activity possibilities. We sense a local ambience on the one hand, with lots of rushed people on bicycles and scooters, but on the other hand the area exudes a timeless, peaceful ambience, because of tourists wandering around and people in cafes enjoying the view and the atmosphere of the