Positive Tourism Festival
Towards a new and more balanced visitor economy that gives back.
Wed 7 Oct t/m Thu 8 Oct 2026

What is the role of tourism in the city? The Positive Tourism Festival in Amsterdam explores how tourism can contribute to a more liveable, inclusive and future-proof city. For two days, residents, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, students and everyone who feels connected to Amsterdam come together to rethink the visitor economy. Expect inspiring examples, lively conversations, interactive workshops and new perspectives on tourism. Together, we explore what positive tourism can look like in practice, what needs to change and what our role can be. The festival is a place to exchange ideas, make new connections and turn inspiration into action.

ConnACT is funded by EU CERV Networks of Towns.
Full programme:
7 October | 13:30-14:00
Welcome & registration
14:00-15:00
Opening & Keynote presentation

15:15-16:15
Interactive sessions #1 (pick one)

Session 1: Hoe maken we betere keuzes over toerisme? (NL) – by Erik Schmit (D66) & Ko Koens (InHolland)
Session 2: De Toerist als Amsterdammer, de Amsterdammer als toerist (NL) – by Buurthotel & Amsterdam Gastvrij
Session 3: Tourism Frontrunners: Put your business to the test (ENG) – by Jimena Diamint
Session 4: Design Tours with Play-Doh: Accessible Tourism in Amsterdam (ENG) – by Veroniek Maat & Iris Kerst (InHolland)

16:30-17:30
Interactieve sessions #2 (pick one)

Session 1: Van Europees inzicht naar lokale impact (NL) – by Maya Janssen & Kim van Doorn (amsterdam&partners)
Session 2: Inclusive Tourism: why and how to? (EN) – by Elyzabeth Gorman (Badass Tours)
Session 3: TikTok en andere platformen (NL) – by Justus Uitermark
Session 4: Show & Share Ontmoet me in het Hart van Amsterdam Noord (NL/ENG) – by Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab Amsterdam, New Urban Tourism, Design Thinking en Media, Technology and Society.
17:30-18:30
Mini-fair Exhibition by Amsterdam Gastvrij, Tours That Matter, Badass Tours, Welcome Home Amsterdam, The Pledge
19:30-21:30
Evening programma (Spoken language will be Dutch with live English translation)

Presentation of the new vision for Amsterdam’s visitor economy developed by the municipality of Amsterdam. How can we ensure that, in the future, tourism generates more value for Amsterdammers than it does today? Inspired by the ideas, examples, and conversations from the festival, we look ahead. What do we want to preserve, what needs to change, and what choices are required to enable the visitor economy to create greater value for the city and its residents?