LAKELAND, Fla.(WFLA) – The tragedy in Brussels is hitting close to home for a Lakeland man. Shane Mahoney, who owns and operates Lugos Travel, often organizes trips and tours that pass through Brussels.

Mahoney spent the day emailing his friends and colleagues to make sure they were alright. “Oh good, this is the person I was waiting to hear from,” said Mahoney as he glanced at an email he received during his interview with News Channel 8. “My heart really goes out to everyone,” he said.

Mahoney doesn’t have any clients on trips in Belgium right now but is planning some in the coming months. “It’s a major connector,” said Mahoney. “Just to give you an idea, someone could get a round trip plane ticket from Orlando to the Brussels Airport for $450. That’s compared to thousands of dollars to fly to somewhere like Paris.”

During our interview Mahoney received a text from a client on a trip in Paris, asking if they should take a train scheduled for the next day. “They are understandably concerned,” he said.

Just last month Mahoney and his wife were in Brussels. “We took a trip, and had such a wonderful time, it’s such a wonderful place,” said Mahoney.THE STORIES OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON: