Following the terrorist attacks in Paris and in the aftermath of the “Brussels lockdown”, Brussels’ tourism industry was severely hit with a significant decline in visitors. The hotel and restaurant sector was particularly affected during December and the holiday season. In order to convince tourists that Brussels is still a destination of choice, visit.brussels (the official tourism agency of the city) launched on Thursday a campaign to reassure potential visitors that Brussels is as safe and full of life and cultural activities as ever.



Place Flagey

#CallBrussels is an innovative project which aims to foster exchanges between potential tourists and visitors from other countries, and the people of Brussels. After all, who better than the people of Brussels to answer questions that tourists who may be hesitant about travelling to Brussels might have?



Place Communale in Molenbeek



visit.brussels has set up telephone boxes in three emblematic locations in Brussels; at Mont des Arts, on Place Flagey and on Place Communale in Molenbeek. Passers-by will be able to take calls and answer questions from foreign tourists, who can choose which telephone box they wish to call via the website www.call.brussels. A webcam will also film the action and will be broadcasted live on the website.

Commenting on the project, visit.brussels said that “the people of Brussels are proud of their city and are no doubt eager to re-establish the truth regarding the situation in Brussels. Through this action, we give them the possibility to express themselves on the topic and hopefully help revitalize the economic life of Brussels by persuading tourists to not cancel their trip to the city.”

The phones will be available in the three locations from Thursday 7 January until Monday 11 January. Anyone from anywhere in the world can call a phone and speak to a local. More information about the campaign can be found on www.call.brussels.

