Spain's tourism minister, Reyes Maroto, says that the government is working on an "exit strategy" with the tourism industry that will be "progressive" and for which national tourism will be the first to recover.
Maroto spoke with representatives of the Spanish Tourism Council on Wednesday. Different "scenarios" are being considered, with the tourism offer being "adapted" to how the pandemic develops and to ensuring that Spain is a "safe destination". The government's "obligation", she added, was "to work according to these scenarios in activating measures and support for the tourism sector". The minister observed that tourism had driven economic recovery after previous crises (such as the financial crisis) and that the government wants it to do so again.
Meanwhile, a report in the ABC newspaper on Thursday suggests that the government is working on a plan that contemplates there being no foreign tourism this summer. ABC states that a government measure which would have the greatest impact on the economy is one by which there is "a closure of borders (total or partial)". This summer's tourism would therefore be based on the national market.
ABC adds that the government is apparently considering only allowing Spaniards to travel abroad this summer if they have a health certificate that recommends travel, i.e. they are not infected. Moreover, it is said that the government is looking at reducing crowds at events and in "certain spaces", and these would include beaches.
A government source, ABC continues, says that "it is impossible to predict anything at the moment, but I see international tourism as being practically impossible". One scenario is, therefore, that Spain will not be open to international tourism until the autumn.
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The real truth is that this disease isn't going anywhere no matter how long you hide away.You will therefore get it at some point in time or a vaccine will be found before it gets to you." Save The NHS ( or its Spanish equivalent ) is really about flow management of the inevitable and nothing else.
What difference if people from mainland or from abroad if you are healthy then what nationality got to do with it.Aswell think a lot of people are going to have other concerns and priorities than thinking about their holidays, talking for talking or to justifying there wages I wonder, why don’t they ask for a popular work shop for suggestings ideas to how go about it instead of having only a few persons thinking. There is a bunch of pretty clever people out there which have had to fight and be creatives to put up business for many years so why not ask them , come out of the political bull*** and be more effectif
Due to the isolated geographical nature of Mallorca, so called ‘national tourism’ from Spain will pose exactly the same risk as tourism from the rest of Europe. I don’t envy the politicians, we are so economically dependent on tourism the ‘when’ and ‘how’ is a mine field.
It needed something like the Coronavirus Effect to teach Holidaymakers to 'boycott' Mallorca, and it's p-taking 'Tourist Tax'. No sympathy till this is repealed !
Liz: most sensible thing I’ve heard in ages totally agree.
I think people with houses or apartments should be allowed travel to Spain. Life has to go on!
The government should relax the renting laws for a couple of years, people will be nervous about staying in hotels with the risks entailed, and it would help all the small businesses.
So if I understand , only Spanish people can have their holidays in Spain this year which can be accepted But on the other hand they can leave their country to travel freely with a so called certificate…. This sounds very odd , today a certificate can be fake and once they are on the plane not one will check it We are living near the city of Mechelen (Belgium ) and see a lot of Spanish tourists in town . So must we stay at home not to get infected and let them stroll round town Keep everyone in their own country for one year
As an Internatioanl tourism consultant living here in Mallorca, I welcome the government's thinking of a scenario focusing on domestic tourism for the reminder of 2020. This is the most sensible solution - one prescribed by me within industry associates in recent weeks. It will enable tourism business to focus their marketing and communications effort, and in parallel the regions, destinations, resorts and individual businesses can plan their strategies properly and cost-effectively for the next 3 - 5 years...the sooner formal decisions are made the better.
I think this is sensible, I would close the Spanish border until October. Mallorca would suffer but its the only way to get rid of this virus.