InfoAnda - Cash crunch hits Amsterdam's red-light district

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Israel images 'show Hezbollah hiding arms' | 9 July 2010
Drake Earns #1 Debut With "Thank Me Later" On Billboard Albums Chart | 24 June 2010
Chile opens museum of Pinochet memorabilia | 14 December 2008

China upholds jail term for leading dissident | 11 February 2010

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Cash crunch hits Amsterdam's red-light district

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Cash crunch hits Amsterdam's red-light district AFP - Thursday, May 28 AMSTERDAM (AFP) - - As the credit crunch keeps away sight-seers and business travellers, the owners of Amsterdam's brothels, escort agencies and sex shops all grumble that those visitors who still do indulge in the pleasures of the flesh are increasingly tight-fisted. ADVERTISEMENT Eva, a 25-year-old prostitute in the city's red-light district, gestures angrily in the direction of a rival who has slashed her rates as the economic crisis emboldens sex tourists to haggle. "People like her make it very difficult for the rest of us," scowled the leggy, blonde Estonian as she dragged on a cigarette in skimpy black-and-white lingerie, all the while posing seductively for men passing the window in which she flaunts her talents. "Some of the girls are now doing it for 30 euros (about 42 dollars). My price is still 50 euros, but the men are playing us off against each other. Some want to pay only 20 euros," she told AFP. Eva is not the only one complaining. "Things are bad," lamented salesman Dave Doeve. He owns Casa Rosso sex shop in the middle of Amsterdam's brazen red-light district where neon-lit prostitutes' windows normally draw hoards of tourists. "There are no people, as you can see. And those who come buy small things, condoms ... cheap things." Brothel owner Willy van der Sloot, herself a former prostitute, said she had never seen the sex market so depressed. "Some days there are just no people," she sighed. Twenty-six-year-old Oxana, who shares Eva's window, says her income has halved in six months while her window rent went up 25 percent in January. On a "good day", she sees six clients but sometimes only one -- at 50 euros per visitor not enough to cover her half of the 150 euro daily rent. "But I can't do it for 20 or 30 euros like some of the others. That is not money." Escort club owner Hugo Snoep said "things have never been this bad" in his 16 years in the business. "Me and the girls are battling to keep our heads above water." Between taking calls from clients, offering them a special price of 160 euros per girl per hour -- down from the usual 175, Snoep said the economic crisis had made a deep dent in his biggest client base -- travelling businessman. "Before, they had big expense accounts from which they could subtract their 'meals' and the like. Nowadays, their bosses are not so generous. We are all in the same economic boat. "Where I used to send out 12 to 14 girls a day, now I am down to just three some days." According to Andre van Dorst, director of the Netherlands' VER sex industry association, turnover had dropped 30 to 40 percent over the last year. The more exclusive the club, the bigger the impact as clients seek cheaper options. "Eating and drinking are the very last things people save on, followed by sex -- both are basic needs. In these difficult economic times, people frequent restaurants less and supermarkets more, just as they opt for less glamorous sex clubs," said van Dorst. Metje Blaak, spokeswoman for De Rode Draad (The Red Thread) sex workers' representative group, said clients were "paying less and demanding more". "And the girls often have no choice but to discount their prices. They have to pay the rent." Though prostitution has long been tolerated in the famously liberal Dutch capital city, the Netherlands only legalised the world's oldest profession in 2000. Last December, Amsterdam's city officials announced plans to halve the total 482 prostitutes' windows in the centre in a multi-million revamp that would also involve shuttering many cannabis-vending coffee shops -- another tourist drawcard. Officials claim the two vices, in themselves not illegal, attract elements of organised crime -- but observers have pointed to a growing Dutch conservatism. Blaak warned that these changes, coupled with the economic recession, was forcing the industry underground as sex workers struggling to make ends meet abandon the regulated environment to avoid having to pay window rent and the 35 percent income tax. "You are already seeing more women walking the streets," said Blaak. "The economic crisis is changing the character of the industry. Previously, the women were in charge, now it is the men who call the shots." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle Italo renaissance sparks electro-music rethinkAFP - Friday, May 29 Boyle dreams as British talent show final loomsAFP - Friday, May 29 Russian heir fights Yale over van Gogh paintingAFP - Thursday, May 28 Warhol collector's monopoly suit gets green lightAFP - Thursday, May 28 'Slumdog' child stars to get new homesAFP - Thursday, May 28 Enlarge Photo A prostitute waits for clients in Amsterdam's red-light district. As the credit crunch keeps away sight-seers and business travellers, the owners of Amsterdam's brothels, escort agencies and sex shops all grumble that those visitors who still do indulge in the pleasures of the flesh are increasingly tight-fisted Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed Canada's governor eats raw seal heart NZealand zookeeper killed by white tiger: police Climate change: World's destiny at stake Medvedev scolds officials for gloomy forecasts Vitamin D boosts brain power in middle-aged men View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Thursday, 28 May 2009
Astronauts blast off to double space station crew
GM fate uncertain, Chrysler poised for overhaul
Russian girl discovered 'behaving like dog'
Netanyahu cites reciprocity on eve of Abbas U.S. trip | International |
Iraq leader vows to end corruption amid scandal | International |
Crunch time for Opel as Germany mulls China bid
Sri Lanka eases restrictions at biggest camp: U.N. | International |
Israeli bill seeks to outlaw denial of Jewish state | International |
U.S. targets Hezbollah network in Africa | International |
Egg bombardment disrupts Czech leftists | International |
Nokia apologises for hitches with new online store
Nokia halts investment in media-sharing site
Ex Italian spy denies involvement in CIA kidnapping
Yahoo CEO says talks with Microsoft continue | Technology |
AT&T says to double mobile data speeds by 2011 | Technology |
Three million UK homes are Web Notspots | Technology |
Beijing protest honours Pelosi's visit
Judge says will quit KRouge court if can't work
Roh leapt to death 'after sending guard away'
US offers reward for Philippine militant suspects
Pakistani 10-year PIB cut-off yield at 12.6303 pct
Indonesia to double palm oil production by 2020
Rare white tiger kills NZealand zookeeper: police
GM future in the balance, Chrysler set for overhaul
Bomb kills troops in Pakistan's Swat: officials
Crunch time for Opel as Germany mulls China bid
Australia braced for swine flu, as Asia cases rise
Fitch:NZ budget deficit itself won't trigger downgrade
Facebook fugitive caught after 105 days
China expects 600 bln yuan of new loans in May
Taiwan man arrested for cyber love scams
Eight carriers in undersea Asia cable project
Singer Chris Brown says he's not a monster | Entertainment |
'Slumdog' child stars to get new homes
Students suffer in France's four-month strike
Japan launches digital archive on director Kurosawa
Achtung tourists! Berlin eateries get cheeky
Attacks, strikes kill 34 in Afghanistan
Ousted Madagascar president accuses France of backing rival
Iraq PM vows to root out graft after trade minister quits
US journalism institute, entrepreneurs in news venture
Germany holds high-stakes Opel meeting
North Korea faces U.N. sanctions | International |
Jobs sounds 'healthy, energetic': Apple co-founder
Pakistani Taliban claim responsibility for Lahore attack | International |
World first: Japanese scientists create transgenic monkeys
Global newspaper sales 'inch up in 2008'
Eminem's "Relapse" Debuts At #1 On The Billboard Albums Chart
Website documents Google Book debate
Obama to hear Abbas plea on Israeli settlements | International |
Director Danny Boyle Rescues "Slumdog Millionaire" Kids From Homelessness
Suicide car bomb hits Lahore, 23 dead
Amnesty: Economic crisis fuels rights time bomb | International |
search worth 'boatloads of money': Bartz
Chris Brown Claims He "Ain't A Monster," Plugs Upcoming Album
Photos show rape and sex abuse in Iraq jails: report | International |
Ed McMahon Settles Lawsuit With Mansion Owners Over His Fall
'DTXTR' translates teen text into English
'New arms race' taking shape in cyberspace: Van Loan
James Brown's Heirs Settle Estate Feud
NATO and Afghan troops kill 34 Taliban | International |
Global newspaper sales inched up in 2008: industry body
U.N. rights body backs Sri Lankan resolution on war | International |
Putin urges innovation to revive Russia
Mike Tyson's Daughter Dies After Accidently Strangling Herself
Tiananmen protests a distant memory for China youth | International |
Nokia apologises for hitches with new online store
Black Eyed Peas Hold Off Kris Allen From The Top Of The iTunes Top 10
IMF denies reports it negotiated with Hezbollah | International |
US expat's blog on Saudi life censored
'DTXTR' translates teen text into English
Park makes history, but United off song in Rome
Rights diplomats fail to find Sri Lanka compromise
Obama draws line on Israeli settlements
Japan PM, opposition rival face off in first debate
Court set to rule on Chrysler's fate
China unveils new measures to boost exports
Videogames get more physical as recession bites | Technology |
AT&T eyes sale of Palm Pre in future | Technology |
Govt announces money for green jobs, training
South Korea to help Algeria boost growth and diversify
Geithner to meet top Chinese leaders
Malaysia heads for recession after 6.2% Q1 contraction
Up to nine Chinese buying teams to head for Taiwan: govt
Indonesia expects 5.0-6.0% growth in 2010: minister
AmEx sues rocker Courtney Love for unpaid bill | Entertainment |
Singer Chris Brown says he's not a monster | Entertainment |
Warhol collector's monopoly suit gets green light
Tom Hanks enlists for WWII documentary | Entertainment |
Fall in Singapore tourist arrrivals eases in April
John Lithgow kills for 'Dexter' role | Entertainment |
Cambodia breaks ground on its first overpass
Year Without Sex proves to be time well spent | Entertainment |
Rapper Jay-Z close to a deal with Sony | Entertainment |
Buckcherry supporting Kiss on summer tour | Entertainment |
Spike's Jesse James should be outlawed | Entertainment |
Israeli actress Game for Plame CIA tale | Entertainment |
Update: Missing Philadelphia Mom, Daughter Found In Florida's Disney World
Millions Threatened by Shortage of Yellow Fever Vaccine
Retired U.S. Navy Warship Sunk In Florida Keys To Become Artificial Reef
Kansas Girl Wins Naming Rights to Next Mars Rover
Mother, Daughter Abduction Triggers Amber Alert In Pennsylvania
Wall Street Takes Late Slide On Treasury News
President Obama Touts Solar Energy Plan At Nevada Press Conference
Ft Campbell Army Base Closed For 3 Days Because Of High Number Of Suicides
White House Press Secretary Gibbs Discusses Sotomayor, North Korea During Press Conference
IRS Tax Revenue Declines With People's Income
Microsoft launching Zune HD
Attack kills 34 insurgents in Afghanistan
Youth diabetes in Europe set to explode: study
Britain appeals for release of kidnapped men in Iraq
GM talks with Europe break down, Chrysler future on hold
At least 4 die in major quake off Honduras | International |
Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan Undergoes Surgery Following Show Cancellations
Slain leaders' heirs vie for Lebanon votes
Kelly Ripa Warns Weight Loss Product Company For Unauthorized Use Of Her Image
Sri Lanka says U.N. rights vote vindicates war victory | International |
U.S. and Israel square off over settlement expansion
OPEC set to hold output steady
Gary Collins Sentenced To Four Months Of House Arrest
Myanmar hits back at critics of Suu Kyi trial | International |
Simon Cowell's Ex-Girlfriend Requests Restraining Order Against Attacker
Berlusconi would resign if lied over teenager | International |
Courtney Love Sued By American Express For $350K Unpaid Bills
Amnesty raps Medvedev on Russia rights violations | International |
Paparazzo Cries Assault By Chris Brown's Bodyguard
Irish president says abuse report didn't come as shock | International |
Russian police find feral girl in Siberia | International |
Govt announces money for green jobs and training
Help for poor countries at Paris climate talks
Brian Eno lights up Sydney Opera House for global warming
Taliban claims Lahore attack
Publisher defends Zhao memoir after Beijing attack
Australian FM condemns attacks on Indian students
Microsoft revamps search engine, dubbed Bing | Technology |
China-made children's products unsafe: state media
Time Warner to separate AOL near year end | Technology |
SAsian cyclone toll 200, villagers return home
News Corp hopes for broader ad deal with Google | Technology |
Myanmar overshadows Europe-ASEAN meetings
iPhone to replace register at Japan university | Technology |
SKorea, US upgrade alert after NKorea threat: ministry
Wired South Korea mourns ex-president online | Technology |
Amnesty targets Pakistan and SLanka rights records
Indonesia's mud victims await justice
Videogames get more physical as recession bites | Technology |
Obama names ambassadors to Japan, India, Sri Lanka
Chef jailed 2 nights has same name as drug suspect
Decomposed Remains Found Near Des Plaines River Belong To A Man
Cancer Death Rates Falling Across The U.S.
Japan warns on global rise in protectionism
Seoul, United States Raise Alert Levels In Korean Peninsula
GE boss Immelt: Worst is over in crisis
WRAPUP 1-S.Korea manufacturing mood soars, central bank cautious
Obama Raises $4 Million At Hollywood Fundraiser
Seoul shares gain 2 pct led by banks, exporters
AT&T Wireless To Upgrade Its 3G Network By 2011
South Korea loosens bank capital requirements
U.S. Goes After Two Hezbollah Fundraisers In Africa
NZ April household borrowing rises in April
Responding To Appeal By Bush v. Gore Lawyers, Gay Groups Warn Against "Ill-Timed Lawsuits"
NZ dollar gains on S&P revision after budget
Obama Heads Back To White House For Meeting With Palestinian Leader, Clinton
RPT-WRAPUP 2-NZ wins S&P reprieve after belt-tightening budget
Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak Announces Intention To Run Against Specter
S&P lifts NZ outlook to stable, affirms rating
Three-Year-Old California Girl Accidentally Shoots Dead Younger Brother
New Zealand plans NZ$8.5 bln bond issues in 2009/10
Born to Run? Teen star Demi Lovato launches tour | Entertainment |
Finns get a break from stress in saunas
The Mentalist voted sexiest, best new TV show | Entertainment |
Cash crunch hits Amsterdam's red-light district
Russian heir fights Yale over van Gogh painting
Boyle dreams as British talent show final looms
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01