‘We want to be as trendy as Holland’
Belgium: Politicians want to shake off country’s “dull” image
Those of you who have shunned Belgium because of its reputation as a rather dull place will be delighted to know that it is trying very hard to cultivate a more trendy image. The Observer reports that “Dull Belgium wants to be as hip as Holland”; with sweeping social changes being driven by the country’s politicians. Last year euthanasia was made legal, gay weddings were legalised last week, and there is a lot of pressure for cannabis to be decriminalised, and while there are no “coffee shops” like those in the Netherlands, the newspaper reports that “the smell of marijuana hangs heavy in the air of bars and clubs” in Belgium’s towns and cities. There is even said to have been a marked change in attitude towards prostitution. A spokesman for the Belgian magazine Che said: “Belgium has an image as a very small, very dull country where nothing happens apart from EU summits. But maybe people will start to notice that it has much, if not more to offer than other European countries.” You heard it here first (unless you read the Observer!).
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026