Canary Islands Call For Safe Travel Corridor To Save Christmas Holidays
Spain News
Published: 21 December 2021 13:25 CET
The Canary Islands have called on the Spanish Government to create a safe travel corridor to prevent the collapse of the holiday sector.
Officials are keen to allow British tourists, which are the biggest market for the islands, to continue to visit the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura over the festive period.
Ashotel, the hotel association which represents the islands including Brit favourite Tenerife believes that the incidence rate is low among tourists and that strict measures including social distancing would help to keep tourists safe.
The request comes despite a surge in Coronavirus infections across Spain and other parts of Europe due to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
Figures published on Monday, December 20 show that the Canary Islands 14-day cumulative incidence rate now stands at a dangerously high 566.28 per 100,000, only slightly lower than the national average which stands at 609.38.
Daily cases have risen sharply over the last few weeks reaching a record 1,600 per day. The islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife have both registered soaring numbers in recent weeks.
Tourism is a major source of income for the islands accounting for around 35% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and 40% of all employment.
Ashotel fears that the tourism sector could collapse unless the central government takes immediate action to mitigate the impact of the latest strain and potential travel restrictions that could be imposed in the coming days.
Ashotel said, “The objective of a safe tourist health corridor is none other than to save the winter season, and with it, the immediate future of the Canarian economy, which cannot afford another season without taking off.”
The Canary Islands Tourism Council has pointed out that only 62 Covid cases were registered in tourists between December 13 and 19 representing just 0.7% of the total 8,532 cases detected across the whole archipelago.
Ashotel said, “Contrary to the general incidence of the infections, which has skyrocketed in recent days, the data from the report shows an inverse behaviour in cases associated with tourists.
“This shows, once again, that the rise in infections has nothing to do with tourist and hotel facilities, in which strict security measures are followed, based on protocols developed by the country's tourism sector, which have been very useful and that have been ISO standard throughout Europe.
“Throughout the pandemic crisis, accommodation establishments have been shown to be safe places and where the applicable measures protect clients and workers."
On December 1, the Spanish government brought in new travel restrictions that only permits those over the age of 12 who have been fully vaccinated to enter the country.
With many families wishing to visit the islands over the Christmas period and with many British teens still not fully jabbed, this presents a major problem for the Canary Islands and for British families.
Ashotel said they want to welcome tourists to the islands who have a digital certificate along with teenagers who would be able to show a negative Covid test.
It said, “It is therefore about making tourist activity possible in the Islands this winter season, without renouncing the control and prevention of the disease.
“Otherwise, the outlook ahead is not at all encouraging, in terms of new company closures.”
Source
https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1538960/spain-holidays-canary-islands-christmas-travel-corridor
https://www.mscbs.gob.es/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/documentos/Actualizacion_526_COVID-19.pdf
