About us

Entrepreneur Brian Bouwens has been active in the boating world since 2019. What began as a small initiative called Boattours Spaarndam quickly grew into something much larger. Just like his grandfather, Brian carries a deep love for the water in his blood. His entrepreneurial journey began by renovating small, old boats with the idea of renting them out. The goal was to hit the ground running during Sail Amsterdam 2020.

It soon became clear, however, that renovating small, outdated boats that didn't meet current standards wasn't the right approach. The decision was made to sell these boats and invest in a dedicated tour boat. This boat was offered for booking during King's Day and Sail Amsterdam—and was a resounding success. The enthusiastic response even led to the purchase of a second tour boat.

With a strong start and a solid foundation in the boating industry, the future seemed bright. Until the world suddenly changed due to the COVID-19 crisis. Many plans fell through, but instead of standing still, Brian saw new opportunities. During this period, the focus temporarily shifted to trading in used boats, a market that had actually flourished during the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, they worked hard on improving the existing tour boat—which was converted to fully electric.

In 2020, a special project followed: the conversion of a Tjalk, a former cargo ship, into a luxury accommodation boat for eight people, which has been available for charter since June 2022. With the end of the crisis in sight, the focus shifted back to expanding the tour business. This marked the beginning of what is known today as Haarlem City Tours—a growing, successful, and beloved tour company.