You Can Now Marry an Amsterdammer to Combat Overtourism

There&rsquos a wave of overtourism across the world, and local communities are struggling to cope. While some iconic locations are enforcing entry caps, others continue to announce strict regulations. The Dutch, though, have found a curious solution.

Untourist Amsterdam, an alternative travel collective, recently announced its &lsquoWed & Walk&rsquo initiative, where visitors can get hitched to a local for day. But don&rsquot worry, the union&rsquos not permanent.

Your &lsquospouse&rsquo is simply a resident who&rsquoll take you on a &lsquohoneymoon&rsquo in the form of their own personal tour of the city. The move intends to not only help tourists scope out the capital&rsquos hidden sights, but also foster intercultural exchange. Why follow the standard, tired itinerary, when you could make merry like the locals When in Rome, err, Amsterdam, after all.

The &euro100 (Rs 7,855) package comes replete with dramatics&mdashthink speech, outfits, photographs, and rings to take back as souvenirs. A 35-minute ceremony is held in the beautifully bohemian De Pijp locality, after which the happy &lsquocouples&rsquo begin their trip around town. The company has been clear to specify that the package is nowhere near an escort service, nor is it a dating site &lsquomeaningful encounters and positive social impact&rsquo are their core interests.
Wed & Walk is just one of several unusual experiences offered by Untourist Amsterdam. If temporary nuptials aren&rsquot your thing, you can also try a unique canal tour led by former refugees, attempt &lsquoweed dating&rsquo (not what you think), or create kitschy skateboards from plastic bottle caps. The initiative clearly promotes the idea that tourism&mdashmuch like marriage&mdashis a two way street, and that travellers ought to contribute to the cities they so enjoy.