The business organisation that represents different Spanish tourism sectors held its first General Assembly of the year this week, during which it analysed the situation in the sector and addressed two significant concerns for the competitiveness of Spain as a tourist destination.
The first of these warnings is Lufthansa’s bid to convert Rome Fiumicino airport into its new hub for intercontinental routes to Asia, America and Africa.
This move would “undermine” the Madrid Barajas hub, which currently concentrates air traffic to Latin America, and would consequently “diminish the relevance of the Spain brand”.
As for the second concern, the General Assembly of the Bureau has expressed its concern about the creation of a new tourist tax for non-EU visitors entering the Schengen Area.
The European Union could start applying this tax from November, under the name of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), and it would entail the payment of 7 euros per non-EU tourist.
The Tourism Board is particularly concerned about the impact of this tax on British tourism, “our main outbound market with 18 million arrivals in 2019”.
It should also be borne in mind that the measure, should it go ahead, will be added to the other local tourist taxes that tourists are already paying for visiting certain Spanish destinations likes the Balearics.
“We are issuing a warning in relation to these two issues that seem to be going unnoticed, but which constitute two potential threats to the competitiveness of the Spanish tourism sector,” said the president of the Mesa del Turismo, Juan Molas.
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David Smile'Have you always been a biter' No, never been into biting people. And for what it's worth I spent a large part of my life fighting against racists, using whatever means necessary. Being against right wing ignorance does not make someone a racist or a leftist whatever that is. You sound very angry, there is help for that you know.
David SmileSince Mr. Teglas hasn't exhibited any of those things, I can't help but suspect a form of projection in your unwarranted personal attack. Oh, and the EU seems to be doing just fine without "your money". How's it going over there without all that European money? Fog, continent.
David SmileReading your comment I find it interesting. True you at least realise that you haven't left Europe, unfortunately many in the UK believe so. It's refreshing you don't take the "feel sorry for us" as the time spending in EU is reduced, and I admire you for not taking the view " they punish us for leaving EU", as that are quite a rehashed view here as well in other UK papers. Far too many like to have a foot in both camps, keeping it as before but not paying for it, so pleased you don't belong to that group. Have a good day.
Zoltan TeglasHave you always been a biter little nasty racist leftist who hates a whole group of people because of their skin tone and your delusional view that they might read a certain UK newspaper. We didn't leave Europe, but I'm very glad we and our money left your rotten EU trade club
Ganja Pit Bull NutjobIf he upsets the Daily Mail reading gammons he must be doing something right.
The reality is that it's extremely doubtful that Spain is "worried" about losing British tourism over 6 quid. The facts show that non-british tourism accounts for over 3 times that of British tourism, none of which are objecting nor claiming it's all about them, there's little evidence of any decline in British tourism, and frankly, if you can't afford 6 quid (actually, 2 quid per year) then you have no business taking a holiday abroad. This article is nothing more than another tabloid "it's all about Britain" spin, to reassure British readers that Britain is still the center of the universe. Despite all evidence to the contrary.
Morgan Williams the most hated man on the MDB comments section ever. If I had a pound for every one of his downvotes I would be a very wealthy man.
Ulla JacksonYeah, I know. But if the sunlit uplands are the only world you know, then obviously, the rest of the world pales by comparison.
Further conditions to MILK the Tourists of their money.
Morgan WilliamsBrits ARE foreigners in EVERY country outside of Britain, even in Spain! And always will be. I guess you are happy being back home in the UK where there is no mess whatsoever of course, despite part of the country is striking.