Ghent wants to attract conference organisers again after the corona crisis. The city has seen an increasing number of overnight stays of conference tourists in recent years and aims to revitalise that trend with an additional marketing budget of €140,000. Conferences are an important business for Ghent, with visitors spending money in town and acting … Continue reading Ghent – Promoting conference tourism
Ghent is investing over one and a half million euro in boosting local tourism in a sustainable way. The city assists entrepreneurs in developing a new coronavirus-proof tourist offer. The offer also highlights sustainable aspects of Ghent’s tourist offer, for example, cycling and walking routes will lead visitors to the sub-municipalities, the periphery, the green … Continue reading Ghent – 1.5 million to boost sustainable tourism
Cities want to play an active role in Europe’s recovery after the corona pandemic. Mayors of major European cities have offered a ‘new pact between the EU and city leadership’ to overcome the impacts of the crisis. In meetings with the European Commission’s Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans and Commissioners Paolo Gentiloni and Johannes Hahn … Continue reading Recovery – Mayors call for a new pact between the EU and cities
Ghent has put in place measures to guarantee that the reopening of shops was safe for all. Pedestrians have to follow directions like traffic, and on main shopping streets they’ll find ‘waiting spots’ on the pavement in case of queues. A group of 30 ‘warm-hearted shopping street assistants’ are available to answer questions and mediate … Continue reading Ghent – Safe reopening of shops
“Our Europe stands for togetherness and solidarity across borders, also and especially in times of global crisis” – that’s the message of European city leaders for Europe Day on 9 May 2020. In a joint video message, mayors of 14 European cities call for solidarity and emphasise the role of cities which are working together … Continue reading A Special Europe Day – Cities sing together in solidarity
After announcing that the biggest summer festival in Ghent is cancelled this year, the city declared it will pay the organisers up to 80% of the planned subsidy. They will receive 50% of the funding if they commit to participate in an opening event for the 2021 edition, and will receive 30% on top of … Continue reading Ghent – Keeping festivals alive
Ghent’s Public Centre of Social Welfare will be able to pay out additional financial aid to any person who comes into financial difficulties, regardless of his or her status. In addition, 1,000 families received 60 euros in crisis support. The extra money is meant to absorb additional costs families are facing because the children do … Continue reading Ghent – Financial aid
With the Easter holidays and good weather teaming up, Ghent finds it challenging to motivate residents to observe physical distancing. To tackle the issue the city has placed 20 large signs at the main entrance of busy places, and has tagged pavements and 300+ benches throughout the city with messages such as: “Walk on: Corona … Continue reading Ghent – Signs to urge physical distancing
With a package of short- and long-term measures, the city of Ghent is tackling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A budget of 25 million euro is designated to help the most vulnerable people, economy and civil society. A ‘Relaunch Taskforce’ shall also see how to revive the city after the crisis by, among others, … Continue reading Ghent – 25 million to overcome the corona crisis
The city of Ghent is urging residents to help keep local businesses afloat by buying locally and has gathered together all other existing initiatives to create a portal to takeaways and local places to purchase food online. Read more here
In compliance with the coronavirus measures, the city council of Ghent, Belgium, held a digital council meeting this week. The 53 councillors participated online from their home computer. It was the largest digital council meeting ever held in Flanders. The city now wants to share its knowhow with other municipalities. Read more here
