Tours that Matter

18/07/2024

Regenerative tourism means leaving a place better than you found it. The design of our tours aims to encourage people to get more involved with the local community and the neighborhoods we visit. We achieve this by integrating volunteer activities, such as planting seeds in community gardens, cooking meals in neighborhood centers, or sorting clothes in second-hand shops. This way, we, as visitors, don’t just consume the city but interact with it, leaving something behind and giving back to the community that welcomes us.

20/06/2024

How can we live in harmony with nature and each other?
On our adventurous tour into the wild and hidden parts of Zeeburgereiland we explored how people there have been doing this for decades. We got inspired on what alternative living can look like and why it is so important to protect these rare places of nature and community in the City.

11/06/2024

We normally visit human changemakers on our tours, but I think we can all imagine that this fluffy one got all the attention this time :)

27/05/2024

We had so much fun with this group of students coming all the way from the US. We designed a whole day for them, from a circular city tour in noord with hidden places to explore and changemakers to meet and a communal lunch to a super nice volunteer activity in the afternoon. Thanks for the lovely day!

15/04/2024

GUIDING YOU TOWARDS VOLUNTEER WORK

Are you an expat or international student in Amsterdam that is looking to connect and give back to the community? Join the first free Voluntour on April 24th! Learn about the city centre and the initiatives that make it more beautiful everyday. Find out where you can Volunteer based on your availability and interest.

Starting point: 14.30 at Art Exhibition
Finishing point: 17.00 with drinks at .amsterdam

👉 Sign up here:
https://vcatraint.nu/voor-vrijwilligers/voluntour-city-center/

Some of our friends that you will meet 🤝
.amsterdam

Thanks for sharing 💙

21/03/2024

POSITIVE IMPACT TOURS

We love to tell our story to the world. To inspire others how you can create a tour with impact. Tours That Matter is a way of tour design, where focus lies on contributing to the community. We are super transparent and share everything we've learned about creating positive impact tours. Maybe you'll design your own 💙

This time Anouschka visited a great place to connect with future change-makers. The students are challenged here daily on how to use tourism as a tool for change. But can you continue this afterwards in your role? shows you how to build an impact tour business! Thanks for the great organisation.

18/03/2024

SUPER DIVERSITY

Last week we spent an amazing day in .zuidoost with our friends from . The theme was identity & media, so we visited inspiring initiatives such as . Sharing stories about building collective heritage and cultural identity.

But a visit to the Bijlmer cannot be with an empty belly. After the local Street Market, we visited inspired by the story of Omoe. The Bijlmer is an example of super diversity, and also the place to talk about connections and disconnection to society.

11/03/2024

GIVING BACK

Last week we had an enthusiastic group from Wales that were willing to free up a whole day in their program. After a morning tour in the Amsterdam East about Colonialism, Migration & Gentrification we visited inspiring community centre . The students had a lunch where they learned about new ways towards a more harmonious and supportive society. Afterwards they could also feel it, by dancing together, gardening and creating art.

Thank you en

All of our tours have the opportunity to add a volunteer activity, to connect and give back to the community 🌿 Definitely worth it to make a bit of extra time!

07/02/2024

Colonialism to Fair Trade

Last week we organised a customized tour about trade, connecting the past, present and the future. Over 75 CEO's of the joined out walking tours through the city center. Listening to the stories of the VOC, creating understanding beyond the bricks and stones.

Giving new inspiration to decision makers, from stories of the pioneers of Amsterdam. Guest speakers like
who do business differently, use the past to create a different future. who is on a mission to change an industry, not a product.

Proud to use our city as a learning playground and of the stories of our change makers.

12/01/2024

Meeting point for the whole neighborhood 🩵

is one of our favorite places in Amsterdam South-East! Because of the food, the atmosphere and the amazing owner Mr. Kai Hing Li (Omoe). The oldest shop in the neighborhood has a rich history but cannot be missed by the neighborhood today. It's a representation of all cultures, colors and tastes of the Bijlmer. Omoe his spirit is "if the customer wants something, I'll make sure he gets it".

We love to visit the shop and share the story of Toko Omoe in our tour about Superdiversity. Well, mostly it's Omoe and his son Ramon that welcome everyone and share the stories themselves. The toko provides much more than food, a warm conversation, a recipe, some lonely people come back 4x a day! While the whole world and neighborhood changes, this place stays the same.

05/01/2024

New Year, New Collaborations

Do you want to discover all the beauty of Amsterdam from a boat, but would you also like to leave the city a little more beautiful? In a unique collaboration with E-boats, you can now book a Boat Tour that Matters with us! An eye-opening and cosy experience for the colder winter days with colleagues, friends or classmates.

Visit places of the regular sailing routes and listen to stories that are less heard. While sailing we pass inspiring initiatives that are working towards a better future.

Every tour is tailor-made depending on the need of the group and the topic of tour! Do you want to know more? Send us a message or e-mail at [email protected].

NEW collaboration with E-boats Happy 2024! The holiday season is all about spending quality time with family and friends, making wishes for the New Year. 366 days to come to create happy and meaningful moments, at home and at work. As always you can join us for inspiring walks and positive impact ac...

28/12/2023

A Circular Houseboat Community

Living on the water has been a common alternative way of living in Amsterdam. But this floating neighbourhood in the Johan van Hasseltkanaal is truly unique. For over ten years the residents worked together to design, develop and realise Schoonschip. An ecologically and socially sustainable neighbourhood where they live with 46 households, on 30 arks. On their website and during the guided visits residents share openly about the process and their lifestyle.

On our Circular City Tour we share the story of an inspiring example of alternative ways of living. Not only due to the green innovations, but also the way of sharing and community living.
Next year we'll be launching a tour together about reshaping urban landscape. An e-bike tour that included a special guided visit by one of Schoonschips residents.

21/12/2023

Gardens for education and connection

The community garden Oost Indisch Groen is one of our favorite places to learn about nature. This educational garden inspires residents about Urban Agriculture and gives anyone the opportunity to gain experience in permaculture. From keeping bees to growing mushrooms, everyone is invited to experiment with their own ideas.

Our Urban Agriculture tour starts at this beautiful garden. Our expert guide Joao knows all about reconnecting with our roots: the land, community and connection with nature. For him Urban gardens are an oasis in the concrete jungle. You can find relaxation, better health, harvests and community.

The tour takes place around the in Amsterdam - East and can also be combined with various workshops to get your hands in the soil 💚🌱

19/12/2023

A meeting place for the whole neighborhood

From artistic workshops to just a nice cup of coffee, to swap clothes and or practice a language. The Modestraat is a neighborhood meetingspot but also a living lab. Residents, artists, students come together to co-create and contribute to the neighborhood.
The Modestraat a home to social and cultural initiatives like our partners


Every semester we are invited to give a tour of Buikslotermeerplein and the area around. A tour that connects the past, present and the future of the neighborhood. That gives a voice to stories less heard and introduces the students to inspiring initiatives.
From February we will guide the students into collecting stories and developing a concept to share them with others.

Check out
For the program of their weekly activities or just hop by for a coffee.

30/11/2023

Colonialism to Fair Trade

One of the first tours we've developed in 2019 tells the history of the Dutch trade. The success but also the painful suffering. This tour visits the Eastern Islands, beautiful and quite unknown neighborhoods. From the VOC sip through the old warehouses, you learn about the not so golden parts of the golden age. Mistakes from the past give us the opportunity to do things differently. The tour takes us to the Czaar Peterstraat where we visit pioneers that make a difference. that are working towards a fair and inclusive world.

Today the students of the
Are exploring the colonial history of the Netherlands with the self-guided route.
Are you curious and in for a walk through the Eastern Islands, check out the route we made for

https://www.iamsterdam.com/zien-en-doen/natuur-en-actief/routes/wandelroute-langs-de-duurzame-handel-en-kolonisatie

22/11/2023

A journey towards our sustainable future 🌍

Students are being challenged to create solutions to real world problems. is a yearly event for students from highschools and universities, to open their eyes to the possibilities of the future.

Last week we got to guide 60 students from Asia, Latin America and Europe on a journey towards a sustainable future. Inspiring them with stories of innovation and circularity, showing them examples in Amsterdam North. Like this magical garden , where in between the old trees people are making a difference everyday.

Thanks

02/11/2023

Positive Impact Hub

Imagine. We’re a few years from now and Amsterdam is known worldwide as a city where an important innovation in the field of tourism has taken place. Visitors have plenty of fun opportunities to leave Amsterdam a little more beautiful than when they arrived. 

Tomorrow we are back at our friends from for another inspirational session. This time is shaping the plan for a Positive Tourism Hub. Home for the co-creation and promotion of new forms of tourism, that leaves the city a little more beautiful. Do you wanna know more about the idea or share your thoughts about how this could help your business?

Join us at 10.30 at the Atrium of Clink Noord!

20/10/2023

Guiding towards change

Many businesses are dealing with challenges of change and transition. We need everyone on board to work towards a more sustainable and inclusive world. On our tours we motivate companies to create positive change.

🌍 Meet the pioneers that work towards a better future
🌱 Receive practical tools that you can implement today
❤️ Safe space to open and facilitate conversations

So whether you are working towards a more circular or diverse business? Book a tour that will guide you to change!

13/10/2023

Inspiring the business community

Together with
and we are developing a new educational program. To create future digital experts working in a sustainable travel sector. In the partnership we challenge how technology and sustainability can enforce each other in travel?

Last Tuesday was the launch of the magazine. With a great piece on this collaboration and the perspectives of and on regenerative travel.

We are ready to inspire more companies on their road to become sustainable and inclusive. Looking for your next team event? Book a tour!

06/10/2023

The lively and green west

For our friends from .amsterdam West we've designed a new walking tour of the neighborhood. To make the fresh students feel at home, connect to a new place and to each other.

is an example of the transformation of the west. An awesome nightclub in an old technical school. A walk through the Rembrandtpark and stroll along Jan van Galenstraat show that the west is cool and green. Finishing off to grab a bite at the community dinner

20/09/2023

Explore Buikslotermeerplein

As a proud partner of the we start the new semester together by taking the students from the classroom into the neighborhood of Buikslotermeer of Amsterdam North. To connect to the place and to eachother.

For many it's a new area, and not one of the prettiest of Amsterdam. But what can we find beyond these concrete buildings? Stories of giving tips on creating green and biodiversity. giving second lifes and chances or giving space to communities and initiatives that connect people.

Stories and initiatives that make the area come alive and work on a better future. In the upcoming year we have more wild plans around Buikslotermeerplein together with the and . Wanna know more? Get in touch!

05/05/2023

New places, new perspectives

Our tours always show something new, a new place or perspective. Not only do we show you something else, we also inspire you to look with different eyes.. to think different!

This week we took two lovely groups from Inter College Business School to the NDSM. The business students got inspired by the stories and examples of this creative breeding ground. Using crisis as an opportunity, to work together as a community.

Every neighbourhood can function as an example, a breeding ground.. for superdiversity, creative thinking, circularity. Join our tours to explore and learn.

07/03/2023

Proud of the many socially responsible initiatives in our city. Offering exciting experiences that enriches local life.

With Plastic Whale you can directly help clean up polluted waterways by “plastic fishing” from boats made of retrieved and recycled plastic waste. Or learn about the city’s lesser-known stories and social issues via Tours that Matter, which offers guided walks along such themes as colonialism and gentrification.

Measures to combat “overtourism” and rowdy behavior take effect this year.

21/11/2022

Why not take a walking tour that is educational, sustainable, and makes a difference? Check out number 11 and the other alternative recommendations to visit Amsterdam. https://thirdeyetraveller.com/amsterdam-hidden-gems-tours/

Tours that Matter is a company that aims to give a voice to the less heard and uses its walking tours as a tool for change.

Here is a huge list of amazing Amsterdam hidden gems and alternative tours for your visit to the capital of the Netherlands. Secret spots you've not heard of!

15/11/2022

Storytelling and being a tourguide have many things in common ✨ On Tuesday 22 of November we organize a free storytelling for tour-guides workshop in the community center De Boomspijker from 17:00 to 19:30.

Are you a tourguide that wants to go beyond? Or are you a storyteller interested in becoming a tourguide and you want to know more about the way we work?

Come join us! You can register by sending an e-mail to [email protected]

09/11/2022

👉 15 x tips om Amsterdam op een andere manier te leren kennen, toerisme anno 2022! Met natuurlijk een bewuste wandeling met Tours that Matter 💙

Een duurzame stedentrip Amsterdam? ✔️ Op zoek naar Alternatieve plekjes in Amsterdam. ✔️ Hoe een sustainable bezoek aan Amsterdam plannen?

24/09/2022

Morgen kun je tijdens het Buurtfestival een speciale rondleiding volgen met onze gidsen Louke & Berber! Zij laten je buiten de mooiste plekjes van de buurt ook de leukste activiteiten van het festival zien! En je leert natuurlijk ook nog wat :-)

Kom tussen 12 - 5 op elk uur naar -restaurant-de-Restaurant-Cafe In de Waag en sluit aan bij een rondleiding van de Wallen & Nieuwmarktbuurt.

25/08/2022

Is there still space for Alternative Culture in Amsterdam?
Tomorrow we take you to the place where you can see the past, the present, and the future combined in a single space. After the glorious era of Dutch shipbuilding ended, a group of city nomads, craftsmen, and artists converted the former shipyard into a breeding ground for creative talent.

Join us to explore NDSM Art city and meet the artists, artisans and creative businesses of Amsterdam! Find out more about activism, street-art and squatting movements ✊

https://www.toursthatmatter.com/tour/counterculture/

03/08/2022

Amsterdam has always been know as the City of Freedom! This week we focus on the freedom of being allowed to be how we want to be. Gender identity is central during Pride Amsterdam. 2022.

But the story of Freedom goes way back. On Friday one of our amazing storytellers will take you around, to be swept away by the Amsterdam that most people never get to see. Understand the history in order to fully grasp the present and to be able to create a positive future.

Each tour gives back to those who preserve the beauty and culture of Amsterdam ❤️

https://www.toursthatmatter.com/tour/city-of-freedom/

Diversity and freedom are unique values of Amsterdam, but what do they mean to you? Welcome to Amsterdam most people never get to see!

14/07/2022

Join us to explore the East side of the city! Known for it's multicultural society. With edges of ethnicities, religions and stories that converge in complex ways. We talk about WW2, waves of immigration and current day issues of racism and migration.

✊ Listen to the stories from WW2 and about Theo van Gogh
❤️ Explore the multicultural society, streets & markets
✌️ Discuss the question "‘How tolerant can you be towards intolerance?’

Still some spots left for tomorrow's tour at 11AM, book here:
https://www.toursthatmatter.com/tour/tolerance-migration/

Amsterdam has always been known as a city of tolerance, from the 17th century until today. Explore and discuss tolerance and migration.