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CATALONIA’S INDEPENDENCE PUSH is taking its toll on the region’s tourism industry, with revenues and hotel bookings down since a banned 1 October secession referendum that was marred by violence.
“The tourism sector is one of the most strongly affected by the instability,” Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told parliament last week as defended his government’s handling of the Catalan crisis.
Catalonia, with its capital Barcelona and Costa Brava beaches, is the Spanish region that most attracts foreign visitors.
More than 18 million visitors went in 2016, or a quarter of all foreigners who came to Spain.
But images of police beating would-be voters as they tried to stop the independence referendum and the massive street demonstrations in Barcelona that followed the vote had dampened visitors’ enthusiasm.
Catalonia’s tourism activity slumped by around 15% during the first two weeks of October compared to the same time last year, according to industry lobby group Exceltur.
Barcelona’s emblematic Las Ramblas boulevard was still packed with locals and tourists, who sat in the sun on outdoor terraces or drove by on open-top buses.
But local shop owners complain of a slump in activity.
“You feel it, there are less tourists since 1 October. Our sales have dropped by about 25%, it’s very worrying,” said Susana Garcia, 44, who runs a confectionery stand on the boulevard.
If you watch TV, and you see Barcelona and police hitting people, and people saying there is no democracy, would you go there?
Travel warnings
Jose Luis Morais has noticed a similar drop in business at his nearby newspaper stand, but he thinks it has “more to do” with the jihadists attacks in Barcelona and the nearby resort of Cambrils in August that killed 16 people “than because of the political situation”.
Catalonia’s tourism activity dropped by around 5% in September in the wake of the attacks, according to Exceltur.
Just before the referendum several countries, including Germany, France and the United States, warned their citizens to be careful if they travelled to Catalonia.
Spanish airline Iberia and American Airlines allowed their passengers on flights to Barcelona to change their tickets for another destination if they wished for free.
A cruise ship which was due to dock in Barcelona on 1 October, the day of the referendum, cancelled its stop in the city.
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs has made no specific recommendations for the region and its advice for Spain is to “take normal precautions“.
It does note however that:
Due to the current political situation, public gatherings and demonstrations have taken place in Catalonia, Madrid and elsewhere in Spain. There have been some incidents of violence. There is a possibility of further spontaneous gatherings and protests, which have the potential to affect local transport and other services.You should avoid all demonstrations, monitor local media and follow the advice of the local authorities.
With Catalan president Carles Puigdemont threatening to declare independence following the referendum, the impact on the tourism sector is likely to continue in the coming months.
Barcelona is a popular destination for French tourists when schools close for an annual holiday at the end of October but reservations for the period are down by 5-10%t, a spokesman for travel firm eDreams Odigeo said.
Put the breaks
Reservations by all nationalities at hotels in Catalonia are down by around 20% until the end of the year, according to Exceltur.
It predicts the drop could reach up to 30% if the crisis continues, which would cost Catalonia €1.8 billion in lost revenues.
Tourism sector companies have also “seriously put the brakes” on all investments in Catalonia until the end of 2017, Exceltur vice president Jose Luis Zoreda told a news conference on Tuesday.
Tourism accounts for 12% of Catalonia’s economic output and employs just over 400,000 people.
Exceltur warned the crisis could have “strong” effect on jobs if it continues.
The rest of Spain has not recorded a fall in reservations but the slowdown in Catalonia risks putting the brakes on a sector which has been booming and is key for the Spanish economy.
© – AFP 2017 with reporting by Rónán Duffy
They are part of a contest where they are literally judged on their appearance and intellect…
@Martin Black: I think it’s a ridiculous competition but that doesn’t give the CEO the right to refer to them in the manner he did. If he wouldn’t say it to their faces he certainly shouldn’t be saying it through email.
@Martin Black: intellect???
@Number 20: Indeed people have; but have you ever participated in a group chain email that said desparaging things about people with whom you interactions with were on a professional basis, and where you were the head of the professional organisation?
@Number 20: “You only care when white men in positions of power do it, don’t you.” – No. I care about any person in a professional setting, especially if they are in a position of power, going on a tirade against another. It is unacceptable behaviour.
@Number 20: do you believe he behaved in an unprofessional manner or not? Forget comparing him to the behaviour of people who call themselves journalists etc. Do you think it was unprofessional of the ceo to take part in this or not? And if it was ridiculously unprofessional, which I think it was, do you think there should be repercussions or not?
@Number 20: No I haven’t written a letter of complaint. I have signed petitions, and I protest with my pocket by not purchasing such publications, or visiting such websites. And that’s not a secret. It is also a different issue to the one at hand. We are talking about professionals not acting professionally. And yes, if this person had been female I would expect a similar response to the behaviour.
@Number 20: no doubt you would as I am human and I tend to prefer animals to people more and more recently. But in a professional capacity if someone does something like this, there are repercussions, as there would be against me if I were to do what he did. When I was in college I did part time work in a chain store. The manager decided to have an unmerciful b**** about one of the staff to two other members of staff. He just didn’t like the guy and decided to air everything about him that he knew and some. He was reported to the regional manager and there were repercussions. I think this is basically that but it’s getting more hype because he’s the ceo of something that a lot of people have issues with already and of course it makes for great click bait.
@Number 20: Who hasn’t, but he worked with these women in a professional capacity and put his comments in writing, presumably using his work email.
@Number 20: Aaaah, the classic “what’s the big deal, everyone’s doing it?” defence. That one never loses it’s shine, does it?
The writer “who has since being terminated”. Harsh. Releasing information will be interesting in this latest case. Pageants will have to be banned – especially ones for kids.
@lavbeer: to be honest ive always thought kids beauty pageant type contests were beyond weird.
@Number 20: did I specify particular pageants? Nope, don’t believe I did. I just find them all weird. Funny that you only seem to find that one weird… I personally find them all weird..
https://youtu.be/L1HQtUqpR-g
@Number 20: oh also.. Weren’t child beauty pageants banned in France?
@Number 20: no there really wasn’t, maybe you will keep that in check in future, but I doubt it.
@Number 20: if I say I have a problem with child beauty type pageants, why would I make an exception because the child is in drag? A child is a child and I don’t think putting them on display in 60 tonne of make up and the feathers of half a flock of flamingos is beneficial to any child and will make them link their worth to their appearance and their ability to entertain others. I think that’s unhealthy for any child. The way you asked the question comes across like you expected me to say I thought it was OK. They are all children, they deserve childhoods.
@Number 20: oh I know full well why you brought it up, and given that I’m a so called progressive in your words and I don’t encourage this behaviour, you have just proven that you know sod all about what supposed progressives are pushing and have just given an insight into your own mind. Don’t accuse me of being passive aggressive when you are the one who was on the attack in the first place, there’s a good lad.
@Number 20: oh and a happy Christmas to you too.
@Number 20: jeesk, you wish someone a happy Xmas and you get called rude. Go figure
@Dell: I find the use of Xmas instead of Christmas pretty rude and offensive myself.
@Number 20: jesus wept..
@Let free speech live: I’m sure you do… And I’m glad you took the time to share that with us all.
@Number 20: grow up would you? You came on here with an agenda and with a preconception and you were wrong. Deal with it. Crying about me being rude is just silly at this stage. Dry your eyes up and move on for the love of whatever.
@Number 20: same question to you.
@Number 20: Methinks you doth protest too much !
Shame on whoever leaked the emails bringing this celebration of female empowerment into disrepute.
@alphanautica:
At the end of the day, they all have lovely bottoms.
@alphanautica: yes I’m sure you guys only look out for women and equality.
pretty stupid things to say in emails where there is a permanent record of what you said. The guy brought the suspension on himself.
have your say