09/07/2024
Finding yourself in the Google Feed, that's something that never happened to me. Would've liked it if things didn't become so negative.
Yeah, it's sad that something like this happened. Luckily I didn't get hurt.
It's again bad press for Bruges, even though I told explicitly that the tour guide war was behind us and that guides nowadays greet one another (I was too optimistic apparently). Luckily some of those positive things have been mentioned as well in the initial coverage.
I'm disappointed that some people like to add fuel to the fire through the media and social media even ones that aren't officially involved any longer with guiding organisations.
On a more positive note a lot of guides and others have condemned this action and told me to continue the way I do my tours already in the meantime.
Today I was interviewed again by Focus WTV and Radio2 for once more my side of the story and to reply to comments and statements made against the way I show people this marvelous city.
I have explained that I'm absolutely against disobeying the police regulations (using city furniture like benches, waste bins and light poles that could potentially be damaged). Yet I've explained that sitting on the non-gravestones at the Boniface Bridge, not blocking it, without damaging it, to show the engravings in some of the gravestones to make people aware of the historic significance is something that I think doesn't harm any person nor the bridge itself - there's hundreds of people sitting everyday on the same stones of the same bridge.
Even on Visit Bruges' website there's a photo with someone sitting on the edge.
In recent years and especially the last months the day-to-day interactions amongst guides have developed in a positive way. Guides of different organisations usually greet one another. I did not expect such a negative media storm. The least that could've been done about things leading up to this incident is that individuals or organisations could've contacted me or Ambassadors Tours to have an open conversations about their concerns.
The main reason why I sit on the bridge, why I stand on the quay walls in certain spots is to not obstruct the sidewalks. I honestly don't see much harm in that. And at the same time it's not forbidden. I have also explained this during the interview with Focus WTV.
All the while, I'm annoyed - and many with me - by guides - both certified guides and non-certified ones - that block the passageway for individuals and groups, both pedestrians, cyclists and motorised traffic, time after time. And exactly that is explicitly forbidden by the police regulations.
Ask any of the horse and carriage drivers in the city which guide never blocks the streets and instructs their tourists to walk on the sidewalks and they'll confirm 😉
Ask any of the captains at the Rosary Quay if ever I block the passageway/bottleneck/hourglass towards Huidenvettersplein and they'll tell you that I don't.
My goal is and always has been to show my guests Bruges in the best possible way, engaging through stories, yet with correct historical information. I have been told by many by now that tall trees catch a lot of wind, but that's no reason for me to change that very goal.
I want to thank everyone that has expressed their support in the meantime and I hope that eventually something good will come from this.
Pascal
also known as the Guiding Dutchman at Ambassadors Tours
