Airbnb removes illegal hotels from Amsterdam listing

The Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant reports that Airbnb removed at least 170 Amsterdam apartment ads from its site, because of non-compliance with Airbnb rules.

Apartment owners whose apartment(s) were removed, received an email from Airbnb that they did not offer 'the authentic travel experience' that travellers are supposed to seek in Airbnb. Airbnb doesn't get very specific about what rules apply.

Probably this has to do with the rules imposed by the City of Amsterdam, concerning apartment rentals. Residential properties can only be rented to tourists for a maximum of 60 nights per year, and to a maximum of 4 guests.
Many apartment offers on Airbnb are not in line with these rules. The Volkskrant newspaper interviewed several Amsterdam apartment owners who said their apartment was fully booked the entire year.

It remains to be seen how effective the Airbnb measure is. In Amsterdam, literally thousands of apartments are offered for rent through Airbnb alone. Closing 170 apartments won't make a big difference.
Also, various apartment owners, whose ads were removed, have been seen to place a new ad, under a different name and slightly different location.