The world-famous "red light district" in Amsterdam faces possible extinction, thanks to new plans coming from the city's mayor. But Amsterdam's escort sex workers do not share the mayor's enthusiasm.

Amsterdam is a beautiful city, brimming with Dutch architecture, art museums, and rich history. But it is also one of the most liberal and open-minded cities in the world. Tourists flock from all over the globe in order to enjoy the unique Dutch culture of drugs and sex.

Amsterdam escort sex workers are a huge tourist attraction

Sex tourism is a term that describes tourists that travel with one activity in mind: sex. And Amsterdam is the most popular destination for sex tourists. The number of tourists that visited Amsterdam and passed through the Amsterdam escort red light district in 2019 was at a record high of 21.7 million! Compared to the city's residential population, which is 870,000, that is truly an incredible amount of tourists!

The red light district is the oldest district in Amsterdam

The red-light district actually has a name. Its official name is called the De Wallen district, and it's home to services like Amsterdam Escort, sex shops, and marijuana cafes. And it turns out that this special area, right in the center of Amsterdam, has been a popular sex hub.

Dating all the way back to the 14th century, sex workers have been entertaining their client's needs and turning a profit from them. Today most Amsterdam escort clients are tourists looking for a good time. 800 years ago, the number of clients were sailors that had just returned to the ports after months at sea.

The legal Amsterdam escort

Prostitution has been legal in Amsterdam since October 2000. This means that sex work is a legitimate business that brings with it the possibility of making a living and then some. It's not easy work, but it can be a lifelong career choice for those who enjoy it.

The Netherlands has taken huge leaps when it comes to taking sex work in Amsterdam seriously. All Amsterdam escorts that pay taxes and legally declare themselves as sex workers are guaranteed access to medical care. And on the streets of the red-light district, police and private bodyguards are constantly patrolling and checking in with sex workers to maintain a safe environment for them.

Amsterdam escorts and sex workers also have access to the Prostitution Information Center, where they can go to seek help if they need it. Due to the large police presence, the red light district is actually one of the safest areas in all of Amsterdam, contrary to popular belief.

The mayor's new plan to push out sex workers

Unfortunately, the historic and culturally significant red-light district of De Wallen is about to be purged of sex shops, and sex workers are rightfully upset. Earlier this year, the Mayor of Amsterdam has announced that the De Wallen neighborhood will move out the majority of the brothels and sex windows and locate them to a new singular "sex center."

The idea is to supposedly give sex workers a safer environment, with a building that has only one access to entry and exit. The mayor claims that by removing the Amsterdam escort services away from crowds of tourists, the sex workers can work in peace and not need to worry about constant disrespect from tourists. But sex workers couldn't disagree more.

Here's what sex workers have to say about the move

Katia, a self-proclaimed Amsterdam sex worker for 10 years now, is staunchly opposed to relocating the brothel. "This neighborhood (De Wallen) has been my place of work for just over 10 years now. I know all the shop owners and most of the girls that work in the windows. If we relocate, who knows what will happen to our close-knit community that has taken too long to get where it is today" she says. Katia claims that she would actually feel less safe after moving to one giant "sex center."

Anna, who has claimed to be a sex worker in Amsterdam for 3 years now, says she couldn't agree more with Katia and that all of her colleagues feel the same as she does. "We feel like we're being evicted from our homes," says Anna. She continues, "there are so many other options that should have been considered before deciding to kick us out of our place of work like this. It's sad."

Anna and Katie have concerns, not only for the future of their careers but for the future of Amsterdam as well.