FAQ for Tourism Professionals

FAQ for Tourism Professionals

Update 25/03/2016 – 8 am

This document is intended for the tourism professionals to help them communicate with their clients or with the participants of their events/congresses/fairs.

Key contacts:

Visit.brussels:

Congress/fairs Organisers in need of information or support can contact Elisabeth Van Ingelgem;

sels; +32 2 549 50 51

Public Events Organisers in need of information or support can contact Micha Kapetanovic;

sels; +32 2 551 54 84

Website: www.visit.brussels

DG Crisis Center website: www.centredecrise.be

For more information about Brussels Airport, visit their website: www.brusselsairport.be

For more information about Trains: www.belgianrail.be

For more information about Public Transports: www.stib.be

Emergency Numbers:

European emergency number: 112

Fire and ambulance services: 100

Police emergencies: 101

What has occurred?

Brussels has been startled by two terrorist attacks. The first one happened in Brussels Airport in Zaventem and was followed by a second attack, in the metro station Maelbeek.

The amount of victims is not yet confirmed. For this reason no exact number is officially released.

What are the security measures taken?

Since November, an unprecedented set of measures has been taken. All the resources of the various authorities to limit the terrorist threat on the territory have been mobilized.

The Brussels-Capital Region is closely associated to the meetings of the National Crisis Center.

Following the attacks perpetrated on Tuesday 22 March 2016, the OCAM (Coordination Unit for Threat Assessment) immediately raised the level of threat to 4 on a scale of 4. Which meant that the threat was serious and imminent? Exceptional measures were directly taken to ensure safety of all

and emergency services for the victims. On Thursday March 24, the OCAM reevaluated the situation and the level of risk was reduced to level 3 nationwide, meaning that the threat is serious, possible and likely.

After an analysis of the situation and a consultation of all security actors concerned, the following measures are, as of now, adopted:

Train Stations:

· Random controls at the entrance of all train stations in the country

· Those random controls are adopted after an analyse of the modus operandi evolution observed on Tuesday

Public transportation:

· Military presence at the entrance of all open subway stations

· Police presence in the subway and on the surface network

· Random controls are also organized in the subway stations

Airports:

· Controls at the entrances and presence of dogs for the detection of explosives

Other security measures adopted:

· Extraordinary police and military reinforcement are still deployed in Brussels and in Belgium

· Brussels touristic actors are implementing specific measures to secure access to their venues

Those extraordinary measures are taken in order to reinforce security in the city. However they do

not impact the quality of stay of foreign tourists in Brussels and Belgium.

For more information, visit the DG Crisis Center website: www.centredecrise.be or call +32 78 15 17

71 (service accessible from 8am to 10pm Brussels Time)

Will there be a lockdown in Brussels?

There will be no lockdown of Brussels this time. Public administration, schools, shopping malls and markets are open.

Is it possible to use public transportation in Brussels?

All 4 subway lines are operated again. 38 of 69 stations will be accessible. At the moment access to the subway stations are controlled by the security services and only allowed between 7am and 7pm.

Trams and buses will be operated normally as today, except for two lines.

All the necessary measures are taken to reestablish completely the situation as quick as possible.

For more information about Public Transports: www.stib.be

Is it possible to take the train to and from Brussels?

Security in the main train stations has been reinforced but national and international trains are coming in and out Brussels. The main train operators (Thalys, Eurostar, SNCB…) recommend to arrive at least 1h prior to your departure.

What is the situation at Brussels Airport?

There will be no passengers’ flights into or out of Brussels Airport until Sunday March 27th included.

For more information about Brussels Airport, visit their website: www.brusselsairport.be

Are venues, hotels and touristic places open?

Venues and hotels are open and welcome their visitors with extra care for security. Most touristic places and museums are open again.

For specific questions regarding security measures in the venue you are using for your event/conference/fair, please contact your project manager.

For more information about the Brussels Museums, go on visit.brussels website: www.visit.brussels

Are cultural and sport events cancelled?

There is no official statement from the Belgian authorities asking Brussels to cancel meetings, shows and events in the city.

Are congresses, conferences and fairs maintained?

The terrorist attacks that hit Brussels do not mean that the city is not able to host international events anymore.

In spite of this very difficult moment, Brussels remains a hotspot for international meetings, fairs,

congresses and events. So participants and organizers can count, as always, on Brussels’ very high hospitality skills, combined with an exceptionally strong attention to their safety in the city.