How Brussels can Start Its Road Towards Healing

tourism in brussels after the attacks

Healing is never easy especially if the cause of the wounds is something as tragic and senseless as the Brussels Terror attacks. The coordinated attacks involved two suicide bombers who detonated at the Brussels Airport and another one that detonated at the Brussels Metro Station. The former killed 16 while the latter killed 18. A total of 270 people were also injured in the attacks. The bombings prompted the Belgian government to raise the highest terror alert level and lockdown not only the airport and metro station but also tourist hotels in the city. The city was virtually paralyzed, stranding thousands of people. So how can Brussels and its people recover from the tragedy? One of the areas the Brussels government should look into is its tourism. Before the attacks, the capital had a booming tourism industry. Each day, people from at least 40 different nationalities walk its streets.

tourism in parisEuropean tourism plunges after Brussels and Paris terror attacks

Holiday bookings are down throughout Western Europe after two terrorist attacks in four months alter the perception of safety on the continent.

Immediately after the Brussels bombings, hotel occupancy in Belgium plunged to 25 percent, down from 82 percent the night before, the Wall Street Journal cites STR, a company that tracks hotel industry data. Read More…

1. Rekindle Tourism

One of ways for Brussels to get back on its feet is to bring back the tourists. Not only will the tourists provide income to city so it has more resources to spend in the restoration, seeing the streets filled with happy tourists will also lighten the mood and help the survivors forget the pain and fear caused by the tragedy. But will Brussels be able to regain the trust of tourists? The best way is to convince tourists that they will be safe in the city. Show them that the government is on top of things and will not let anything like the Brussels attack happen again. So how exactly can Brussels make tourists feel safe again?

2. Safety First

The government should evaluate its current safety and security standards and make any changes and fixes necessary. After making sure that the entire city is actually safe, the next step is to tell people about it. It should conduct a comprehensive information campaign about the improvements in security measures and protocols. It should also include any lapses the previous protocols had and how such lapses were addressed.

3. Constant Communication

The government should be open to the public about everything it is doing. People should know all that is going on until the terror alert is lifted and things finally go back to normal. Lack of communication will just lead to doubt and anxiety. Communication also tells the people that you are doing something about the issue. Also issue frequent reminders on how people can keep themselves safe.

4. Proper Timing

The government cannot just begin promoting its tourism anytime it wants. It must first make sure the city is truly ready to accommodate tourists or it will just further damage its reputation. Make sure everything tourists wanted to see and do before is available again. Also ensure that the citizens are ready to mingle with tourists again.

Best Obama Jokes at the 2016 Whitehouse Correspondents’ Dinner

 

The recently concluded 2016 Whitehouse Correspondents’ Dinner is Obama’s last and his humor will definitely be missed. Though critics say Obama’s jokes this year were unable to top those in his 2011 speech where he launched several jabs on his number one critic Donald Trump. That speech immortalized the Obama Jokes. He made fun of Trump’s obsession with his citizenship and how Trump exhibited his decision-making skills in several episodes of the Celebrity Apprentice. The best part was when Obama said, while looking at Trump who was with the audience, that he will show everyone a video of his actual birth. Then as everyone was focusing on the screen, a clip from Lion King was played. That said, his jokes this year are still quite funny and below are the most hilarious parts.

 

1. It has been an honour and a privilege to work side by side with you to strengthen our democracy. With that I just have two more words to say: Obama out. (He then proceeds to put two of his fingers together and drops the microphone.)

2. I also would like to acknowledge some of the award-winning reporters that we have with us here tonight. Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber. Thank you all for everything you have done. I’m just joking. As you know, Spotlight is a film, a movie about investigative journalists with the resources and the autonomy to chase down the truth and hold the powerful accountable. Best fantasy film since Star Wars.

3. The Republican establishment is incredulous that he is their most likely nominee. Incredulous. Shocking. They say Donald lacks the foreign policy experience to be president. But in fairness, he has spent years meeting with leaders from around the world: Miss Sweden, Miss Argentina, Miss Azerbaijan.

barack obama jabs at donald trumpBarack Obama Takes Hilarious Jab at Donald Trump on ‘Tonight Show’

Barack Obama took a hilarious jab at Donald Trump while taping his Thursday appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Read More…

And there is one area where Donald’s experience could be invaluable and that’s closing Guantanamo because Trump knows a thing or two about running waterfront properties into the ground. Alright, that is probably enough. I mean I’ve got more material. No, no, no.

4. Helen Mirren is here tonight. I don’t even have a joke here, I just think Helen Mirren is awesome. She’s awesome.

5. But the prospect of leaving the White House is a mixed bag. You might have heard that someone jumped the White House fence last week, but I have to give the Secret Service credit. They found Michelle and brought her back. She’s safe back at home now. It’s only nine more months, baby. Settle down.

6. I know I was a little late tonight. I was running on CPT, which stands for jokes that white people should not make.

will celebrity apprentice contestants vote for trumpIf you happen to miss seeing the 2016 Correspondents’ Dinner, the 6 jokes above will complete your day.

Donald Trump certainly knows how to lead a boardroom, but can he lead from the Oval Office? Former Celebrity Apprentice contestants (including Brandi Glanville, Ian Ziering, Stephen Baldwin and others) share their thoughts in the new issue of Us Weekly about why the front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination will — or won’t — be getting their votes in the 2016 election! Read More…