Empty Brussels hotels offer unprecedented discounts

The hotels in Brussels have never had so few customers, according to the Brussels Hotel Association. Only about 20% of the hotel rooms in the capital are currently occupied, an all-time low. Last week's terror attacks and consequent closing of the national airport have brought tourism to a near halt, forcing hotels to significantly lower their rates, writes Brusselnieuws based on a tvbrussel report.

As more and more tourists cancel their bookings, the Brussels Hotel Association is calling the situation an “outright crisis”. It is therefore urging employment minister Kris Peeters to help by introducing a special unemployment status for the hotel staff. Otherwise, hundreds of jobs will be lost, warns the association.