Tourist officials in Belgium are supporting a visitor map that encourages
trips to brothels in Antwerp.
The map, which is backed by the Flemish Government, the city of Antwerp and
Tourism Flanders, recommends visits to a “mega-brothel with 51 sex suites
where 102 prostitutes alternately work around the clock” in the red light
district.
On the “by night” section of the map, which is entitled “Antwerp for young
people”, there are directions to the brothel under the heading: “The oldest
trade in the world.”
It goes on to say: “Antwerp has a sexy attraction ... in Villa Tinto almost
everything is the colour of love – down to the toilet. Looking is for free.”
After being approached by TimesTravel, the tourist board initially denied it
was aware of the map, which is produced by a private organisation called
Use-It. However a spokeswoman for Tourism Antwerp later said: “Villa Tinto
is by no means a city project nor subsidised by the city financially, nor
did the city support the development of the project.
“The City of Antwerp’s aim is to move prostitution from the control of
organised criminals, and combat crime and violence fostered by conventional
red light districts.” She added that tourist officials were not responsible
for the map’s content.
More than 70,000 British tourists visit Antwerp each year, most of them coming
to see its stunning cathedral with its Rubens paintings, as well as Rubens
House, where the great painter lived in the 17th century. The tourist board
has recently pushed the city’s “trendy” credentials, which include several
popular night-clubs, a fashion district selling designer clothes and a
flea-market offering retro secondhand garments.
Antiprostitution groups such as the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women say
that it is “sick” to encourage sex tourism. It estimates that 50-85 per cent
of women in prostitution experience violence.
Two years ago CATW criticised Thomas Cook for including tours of Amsterdam’s
red light district in one of its brochures. The tour operator still has
“Dark Amsterdam” tours, but has since stressed that they are not suitable
for children – previously not stated.
There is NO "combat against crime and criminals" ! The supermaffia authorities above law and order, these local warriors including police and justice protected by higher authorities including ministers, are going hand in hand with the criminals, mostly maffia gangs from abroad, which was not existing before last WWII ! These criminal authorities and other criminal gangs have mutual financial and other big profits in this sex and other criminal activities.
Bill Corneille, Antwerp, Belgium
London take note!!
Patrick Brangan, Worthing, England
Antwerp RULES
amoeder, antwerp, belgium
This is 100% Belgium, politicians know nothing.
But actually this project is sponsord by the politicians.
All normal in the former democratic country of Belgium.
Pino, Antwerp,
Crime in the Antwerp Red Light district is as good as non existing, there is a Police post located in the middle of what is called in your article a "mega brothel". It doesn't even feels like a brothel and has a designers look and concept to it. In no terms is it decadent nor disgusting, rather opposite, girls are classy and hygiene is of high standard. Compare it with the Moulin Rouge in Paris but than in a more contemporary style. It's a fact that on the European continent we just are more open to it and accept human nature like it is instead of hiding it secretly, like some other countries do. Why would you suppress the very core embedded deed that keeps humanity afloat for people not having the chance to share it with a long term partner?
Simon, Europe,
Sure love my country :)
Kevin, Beringen, BELGIUM