Let tourists back or lose out to rivals, Spain urged
SPAIN must open its borders to holidaymakers sooner than planned or see its rivals ‘grabbing’ all the tourist trade, a business chief has said.
The Spanish government wants to allow foreign sunseekers to return on July 1, although ‘test runs’ involving those from countries with low contagion rates could start on June 21.
But Antonio Garamendi, head of the Spanish confederation of business associations, has piled pressure on Madrid to act sooner and not allow its rivals to steal a march.
‘The tourist sector has to be protected because it is very important in our country, especially in the islands,’ he said.
Claiming Greece, Italy and Portugal were ‘grabbing’ all the tourists, Mr Garamendi (pictured) added: ‘We have to start opening borders. The sooner, the better.’
Tourism minister Maria Reyes Maroto announced on Sunday that holidaymakers from Germany and some Nordic countries might be allowed to take part in pilot schemes in the Balearic and Canary Islands.
However, British tourists will have to wait after
Ms Reyes Maroto was quoted as saying: ‘[In the UK] the health situation still has to improve. ‘For us, it is important to guarantee that people arrive healthy and leave healthy.’
Hoteliers have been vocal in criticising the Spanish government for making them wait until July to begin receiving foreign tourists again.
Italy has already started welcoming back visitors and Portugal will reopen its border to the international market this weekend.
The pilot scheme that would see about 3,500 mostly German tourists travel to Majorca later this month is yet to be signed off by Madrid. Others could be allowed to jet into Ibiza and the Canaries. Reports said they would have to take Covid-19 tests and undergo quarantine for six hours on arrival.