Pandemic turns summer into European tourism's leanest season Europe’s leanest summer tourist season in recent history is drawing to a close, six months after the coronavirus pandemic hit the continentBRUGES, Belgium -- Bruges mayor Dirk De fauw first realized something was desperately wrong with European tourism when on a brisk March morning he crossed the Burg square in front of the Gothic city hall and there was nothing but silence. Six months later, as Europe's leanest tourist summer season in recent history is starting to draw to a close, COVID-19 is yet to loosen its suffocating grip on the continent. It left the European tourism industry relying on hope more than anything else. On a normal day — not like the one when he had 114 customers instead of 1,200 — tourists instead of birds would rule the waters. Unsure how long the pandemic will last, Bruges has decided to forego any blockbuster exhibits.

Source: ABC News September 06, 2020 08:48 UTC