Belgians take to 'refugee holidays'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Holidaymakers must be in bed by midnight and even the management says the food is basic. But, since it opened to the public on 17 August, a holiday centre at Westende on the Belgian coast has welcomed a judge and a politician, and attracted media attention from as far away as Finland.
The centre, called De Passage, is home to 300 asylum-seekers and is the setting for a social experiment. So far 32 Belgians have enrolled, each paying ¤19 (£12) for full board. Guests can use the centre's facilities, which include a swimming pool and sports area.
The director of De Passage, Claudia Larson, says most of the holidaymakers want to understand better how the other half lives. "It is not possible to have a normal holiday here," Ms Larson says. "People ... cannot drink in the centre or smoke in the rooms. Breakfast is a piece of bread with cheese, no buffet. The meal is basic, average Belgian food, which comes with water."
The intention is to redress the negative stereotypes surrounding asylum-seekers. Guests are given information on how the system works and invited to play football or basket ball with the centre's more permanent residents. Ms Larson admits that some refugees were initially concerned they would be participating in a human zoo, but says they are now positive.
"They say, 'When we walk down the street no one wants to greet us; these people have come especially to have contact with us'," Ms Larson says.
But the real education is for the holidaymakers. "One woman came here with three children and she wanted to show them life doesn't always revolve around Game Boys and PlayStations."
The initiative has proved only a modest success. More than half the 80 beds set aside for holidaymakers are empty, although De Passage is expected to attract a large number of school groups once the new term begins next month.
But by any standards De Passage is never going to compete with Club Med. One Belgian newspaper journalist who spent a night there incognito noted that after a "very frugal meal" at 6pm there was "no communal activity and no place for people to gather. Everyone goes back to their room."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments