Pandemic pulverizes Spain’s tourism as arrivals plunge 77%

by: CIARÁN GILES, Associated Press

Posted: Feb 3, 2021 / 11:51 am EST
/. Updated: February 3, 2021 / 11:51 am EST

A man wearing a protective mask walks past the El Cano pub with a sign to encourage people to visit the pub and terrace in Madrid, Spain on Tuesday February 2, 2021. Spain’s coronavirus pandemic virus expert says infections in the country are losing steam but the contagion curve needs to be bent much wider to protect the health system. (AP Photo / Paul White)

MADRID (AP) – The coronavirus pandemic has pulverized Spain’s main tourism industry. Arrivals fell to 19 million in 2020, compared to nearly 84 million visitors the previous year.

The 77% decline started a seven-year trend of annual records and ended a decade-long string of annual gains.

The National Statistics Institute said Wednesday that overseas tourism revenue fell to just 20 billion euros ($ 24 billion) in 2020, 79% less than the 92 billion euros in 2019.

The private news agency Europa Press said the country had not received so few foreign visitors since 1969.

Before the pandemic and the travel restrictions that followed, tourism accounted for around 11% of Spain’s GDP of 1.1 trillion euros, making it one of the country’s leading industries. Alongside France and the USA, it has long been one of the three most important tourist destinations.

With the virus still spiraling out of control and the number of cases of infection rising, it remains to be seen whether 2021 will be any different.

Authorities hope that the Spanish vaccination program will increase the confidence of foreign travelers.

“We have to redouble our efforts to send a message of trust abroad because we know that tourists want to come to Spain and if we create the necessary safety conditions, they are ready,” said Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, recently. She said vaccines offered “a horizon of hope”.

Spain is betting that between 30% and 40% of its population will be vaccinated in the second quarter and 70% in the summer.