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Spanish quarantine requirements to wreck Andalusian tourism revival
| Published: | 24 Jun at 6 PM |
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British business owners all across Andalusia are hoping against hope for a revival of the region’s tourism sector this summer.
As a result, Andalusia’s tourism authority is warning the national government against introducing quarantine periods for UK visitors arriving on the Costa del Sol. The warning came following Tuesday’s statement by the country’s foreign minister that the 14-day quarantine period might be imposed for Brits unless the UK government backtracks on its quarantine for Spanish tourists visiting the UK. For British expat businesses in Spain's beleagured hospitality sector, playing tit-for-tat at the political level isn’t reassuring.
Andalusia’s tourist minister is now citing the move as ludicrous and plainly political, adding both stances are likely to destroy what’s left of the popular region’s tourism businesses, especially as UK visitors are the mainstay for the Costa del Sol region. The minister is suggesting a coronavirus test to be administered in the UK before travel commences, adding quarantining Brits a nonsense solution as there are already some 50,000 resident British expats in the region.
Last year’s regional tourism data as regards Malaga hotels revealed some 1.3 million British tourists stayed in the region’s hotels over the holiday season, making Brits the city’s second most important customer base. An average of 30 per cent of all holidaymakers arrive at Malaga Airport each summer season, providing revenue not only for British-owned businesses but also for major Spanish hotel chains, transport companies and restaurants. With local tourism revenue also at an all-time low, it’s to be hoped the politicians on both sides of the fence get together and provide a workable solution.
As a result, Andalusia’s tourism authority is warning the national government against introducing quarantine periods for UK visitors arriving on the Costa del Sol. The warning came following Tuesday’s statement by the country’s foreign minister that the 14-day quarantine period might be imposed for Brits unless the UK government backtracks on its quarantine for Spanish tourists visiting the UK. For British expat businesses in Spain's beleagured hospitality sector, playing tit-for-tat at the political level isn’t reassuring.
Andalusia’s tourist minister is now citing the move as ludicrous and plainly political, adding both stances are likely to destroy what’s left of the popular region’s tourism businesses, especially as UK visitors are the mainstay for the Costa del Sol region. The minister is suggesting a coronavirus test to be administered in the UK before travel commences, adding quarantining Brits a nonsense solution as there are already some 50,000 resident British expats in the region.
Last year’s regional tourism data as regards Malaga hotels revealed some 1.3 million British tourists stayed in the region’s hotels over the holiday season, making Brits the city’s second most important customer base. An average of 30 per cent of all holidaymakers arrive at Malaga Airport each summer season, providing revenue not only for British-owned businesses but also for major Spanish hotel chains, transport companies and restaurants. With local tourism revenue also at an all-time low, it’s to be hoped the politicians on both sides of the fence get together and provide a workable solution.
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