Covid-19: Spain’s pandemic tourism policies irk locals
18 April 2021 |
5:05 pm
As one of the most popular places in Europe for holidaymakers, Spain is doing everything it can to save its tourism sector. Flights are back up and running, and foreign tourists are allowed in with negative PCR tests. Germans and French are topping the visitor lists to the Balearic Islands to enjoy the beaches, bars and restaurants. Paradoxically, Spaniards are banned from travelling between regions. The Spanish tourist sector is complaining about such contradictions, and many Spaniards are fed up with what they feel are inconsistent Covid-19 restrictions. Our correspondents report.
Related
26 Nov
After the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, thousands of people were evacuated to Europe. Paralympic wheelchair basketball player Nilofar Bayat and her husband are now living in the Spanish city of Bilbao - making a fresh start on the court.
11 Nov 2021
France is returning artworks acquired in colonial times to Benin. Germany is also open to restitutions. How are other European countries addressing the issue?
19 Nov 2021
In response to a surge in infections, the Bundestag has approved new legislation. Acting Chancellor Angela Merkel is set to meet state leaders to debate further action as the pandemic threatens to spiral out of control.
29 Nov
International travel picked up over the summer, but Covid-19 is still expected to cost the global tourism industry some €1.8 trillion in 2021. Also, French finance minister Bruno Le Maire remains optimistic about the recovery despite concerns over the Omicron variant, and farmers in India continue their protest movement despite concessions from the government.
29 Nov
As Covid-19 infections rise around the EU and some member states impose new restrictions, FRANCE 24 speaks to Greece’s Tourism Minister about the continent’s next steps. We also discuss irregular migration on the European Union's external borders - including those of France and of Greece.
2 Dec
Every morning in the Rwandan capital Kigali, long queues appear outside milk bars, where people come to socialise and unwind over large pints of ikivuguto, a fermented milk mixed with honey. Milk drinking became engrained in the country's culture as the result of a government policy initiated after the 1994 genocide to revive the economy and fight malnutrition. In 2006, the government set up the Girinka programme, in a bid to ensure that even the poorest families were able to afford a cow.
8 Dec
No three-piece suits, no dress shoes, no ties. Instead, Germany's new leaders appear in sneakers and unbuttoned shirts. A change in style that also symbolizes a new attitude.
6 Dec
It was the first vaccine to be approved, and as the Russian jab is rolled out globally, it's providing welcome relief to countries such as India. But the low-cost inoculation is more of a prestige project for the Kremlin than an altruistic endeavour.
25 Dec
France is home to some of the biggest luxury brands in the world. While many everyday businesses have struggled to bounce back from the health crisis, it’s been just the opposite for the most exclusive French labels. Jean-Noël Kapferer, professor emeritus of marketing, talks us through the success of luxury brands bouncing back from the pandemic. We also see how the luxury sector is making its way into the second-hand market, bringing in a whole new clientele.
18 Dec
Flying into space is not just a billionaire vanity project anymore. Current trials by Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and SpaceX could be the beginning of a whole new space tourism industry.
13 Dec
After being on hold for months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, French archaeological missions are back in Egypt, where many treasures are waiting to be discovered. Exploring the city of Luxor is a dream for many archaeologists, who each day hope their painstaking work will yield fresh treasures. A few kilometres from the Valley of the Kings, Isabelle Régen and her team are studying one of the most fascinating tombs discovered in the country. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Olivia Bizot.
18 Dec
In this special edition, we're in Spain, which is listed as one of the world's top 15 countries in fighting gender discrimination. It is also a pioneer in the field of gender violence. So how did a once traditionally Catholic nation that spent years under dictatorship now become a world leader in promoting equality? In seeking to find out, Annette Young speaks to the Secretary for Equality, Ángela Rodríguez, and other activists as to why the nation is pursuing such a progressive path.
Latest
2 hours ago
Germany's far-right populist AfD is desperate to turn its ailing fortunes around after terrible election results. Party leader Tino Chrupalla is under increasing pressure as criticism grows from within the ranks.
2 hours ago
The impact of the Russian assault will likely haunt people in northern Ukraine for years: unexploded munitions, mines and rockets pose a threat to civilians. Demining teams face the dangerous task of removing them.
3 hours ago
Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness continues to dominate at the box office, pulling in over $800 million worldwide.
4 hours ago
US President Joe Biden has launched a new trade deal with 12 Indo-Pacific nations. The plan provides a means for partner countries to deal with key issues including climate change, supply chain and digital trade.
4 hours ago
The Taliban has made face veils mandatory for all Afghan women appearing in public, including those on television. This edict was ignored by presenters on Saturday, but they relented a day later.
5 hours ago
The former human rights minister of Pakistan was arrested, prompting protests from her supporters before she was later released. She was a close aide of ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan.