– It is completely unreasonable that we can not travel between regions, but any foreigner can travel here – and spread infection – says Emilio Rivas (23) from Madrid to Reuters.
More infection
He is just one of many who react to the country opening up to tourism from countries with higher infection rates, while they themselves live in lockdown.
Rivas longs to get away for the holidays, but the ban on traveling between regions in Spain applies until after Easter.
Tourists who come must refer to a negative corona test before entering the country, which is referred to as unmusical – since Spaniards can also take corona tests that show that they are not infected before any trip.
– There are still strict infection control measures in Mallorca that travelers must comply with. Photo: Enrique Calvo
–
After Germany last week lifted quarantine requirements from the Valencia region and the Balearic Islands, both Lufthansa, Eurowings and Ryanair have set up flights. The tickets are torn away by travel-hungry Germans.
The French have also started booking trips to Spain after lifting quarantine requirements. Spain now has lower infections in more regions than it has had since August.
Retired Angelines Ruiz (76) fears the consequences of the trip, and has even canceled her holiday trip this Easter.
– I am afraid of being infected by one of these French or German tourists, says Ruiz.
An industry in crisis
Although many Spaniards feel stung by both envy and fear, the opening of tourism is welcome for many in the industry. Tourism has fallen by 80 percent in 2020. Not since 1969 have so few visited Spain.
German authorities still urge not to travel on unnecessary trips, and hotels and resorts are not allowed to rent to holiday guests. – Then abroad is the only option for those who choose to travel anyway.
Twice as many Germans have booked an Easter trip to Mallorca this year, compared to 2019. Photo: Joan Mateu
–
–
Lufthansa has set up 300 extra flights from Germany to Mallorca and Alicante, while Ryanair has set up 200 extra flights.
Fully booked hotels
TUI Germany informs Reuters that they have sold twice as many Easter trips to Spain this year as they did in 2019, and that many of the hotels are already fully booked.
However, it will be a quieter holiday trip than many Germans are used to. No bars or nightclubs will be open at Easter. It is also forbidden to offer free alcohol in all-inclusive hotels.
–
