FMP: AN IDEA AT LAST

I had a brain wave this morning, better late than never!

After reading a few online articles about Dutch tourism  I came up with the question: Why do people choose to visit Amsterdam?
The ideas I came up with off the top of my head were:

-History 
-Culture
-Legalisation of soft drugs
-Laws on prostitution
-General intrigue 

This list was confirmed on a Dutch tourism website:

Main reasons for visiting Amsterdam
› Amsterdam's cultural history (66,1%)
› Museums (50,1%)
› Reputation (33,2%)
› Atmosphere (32,7%)
› Coffeeshops & soft drugs (16,5%)

Most popular activities
› Wandering the city (95%)
› Visiting a museum (85%)
› Eating out (70%)
› Drinking at a cafe or pub (65%)
› Viewing traditional 17th and 18th century architecture (64%)
Visitors undertook an average of 10 activities during their stay.

Less generic / more "quintessentially Amsterdam" responses included:
› Exploring the Red Light District (46%)
› Canal cruises (42%)
› Visiting a coffeeshop (35%)
› Cycling (22%)
› Design-related activities (10%)

Amsterdam's most positive aspects
› Architecture (66%)
› Relaxed atmosphere (48%)
› People (35%)
› The city's culture (32%)

Source:  http://www.iamexpat.nl/read-and-discuss/lifestyle/news/tourists-choose-amsterdam-for-its-culture

Drug Laws and Coffee Shops

Sources: 

http://www.amsterdam.info/coffeeshops/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/netherlands/amsterdam/articles/future-of-coffeeshops-in-doubt-as-amsterdams-oldest-cannabis-cafe-faces-closure/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/netherlands/amsterdam/articles/how-amsterdam-is-tackling-disneyfication/

Summary of interesting facts:

• Since 1995, the number of coffee shops in Amsterdam has fallen from 350 to 167
• Dutch governments have been clamping down on coffeeshops by banning those in border cities from serving tourists, and forcing the closure of establishments near schools
• Dutch drug policy is directed by an idea that every human being may decide about the matters of its own health
• People of Amsterdam do not want their city to be a capital of junkies and drug addicts from all over the world. But at the same time, they are for tolerance and accessibility of soft drugs. 

What now?

-Research other areas why tourists choose to visit Amsterdam (PRONTO!)

-Think about how I can present this information (ALSO PRONTO)

Here is a rough idea:

6 Sided Concertina

The 6 sided concertina will mimic the traditional style of canal houses of Amsterdam; each representing a different unique cultural area or theme associated with the city that appeal to tourists.

I think this is a good idea and I can see it working really well.