–
The large wholesalers they warn that the lack of a strategy with the vaccination of covid-19 in Spain is a stone in the shoe for save season 2021. Meanwhile they already warn that competing destinations such as Greece or Turkey are taking the lead heading into the second pandemic summer; they are proving to have a north to attract source markets.
To sample the panorama, just remember the presentation of TUI’s 2021 season programming from last December. It was made clear that the trend of “mass” vacationing within Germany will continueAccording to the General Director of Tourism of the TTOO in that country, Stefan Baumert. And ahead of Spain, Greece stood out in its plans for its great demand for families, with Crete, Rhodes and Kos leading the way. The mention of trips to the Mediterranean, including Mallorca, was in the background.
The wholesalers point out that without a clear strategy in Madrid, European markets will not bet on Spain, and refer to the complaint of the CEO of Meliá, Gabriel Escarrer, who has insisted for weeks that “We risk our future” if we are late with the vaccination. “If Spain does not wake up, they are going to eat the ground,” say sources. From the irony it is ugly that “every time a plane arrives with vaccines the plans change.”
Reservations on pause
It is remembered how Mallorca was ahead in receiving the first tourists last summer, for later resign themselves to their departure without doing anything to “protect” tourism.
When the high season approaches and if it starts “In June or July, the turning point will be how is the incidence of covid and how are the vaccines going”, delimit the sources. And today, the advances of Turkey or Greece – this with the attractiveness of its small islands, which are perceived as safer than the Balearic Islands – are manifest.
Focusing on our main markets, on the UK, with 20% of the vaccinated population, the one that arouses the most optimism, follow the messages of the Government Johnson advising against summer vacations. And that of Merkel, slower with vaccines, continues to lengthen restrictions. “There is a pause, no one is making reservations,” say the TTOOs. The season will not be extended, and if it does not start in June or July it will be lost. Y “Mallorca has been without tourism for twelve months”, is observed.
Sympathy
“I hope they do better than the hospitality industry”says the manager of a large tour operator referring to the fiasco in which the resistance movement ended up becoming against the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, with riots and illegal demonstrations. The SOS Tourism campaign, which opens today on the island, is seen with sympathy and without fear that it could be detrimental to the image of Mallorca in the issuing markets. They question whether it will be reflected in the most prestigious international media, as the Balearic tourism sector intends, since It is also launched in English to achieve greater impact.
– .
