The Observatory of Tourism in Barcelona updates the Destination Barcelona tourism forecast report as of 07/05/2021. This report highlights the effects of Covid-19 on the tourism sector.

Covid-19 situation

Covid-19 preventive measures continue despite the increasing number of worldwide vaccinations.

In Catalonia, from the 9th May, the following measures will affect the tourism sector:

- Restaurants and bars: 30% of capacity on the inside and 100% on the outside of the establishments. Opening hours from 7.30 am to 23 h. 

- Commerce: 30% of capacity on shops without surface limit until 22 h

- Professional events: not allowed, except those in trade fair venues, providing certain protocols and permits

- Culture: 50% of capacity in museums, exhibition centers, cinemas and concert halls until 23 h

- Amusement parks: 30% of capacity

Source markets

European internal borders keep open but almost all EU countries maintain restrictive measures. However, this week, the European Commission announced plans to allow passengers from countries with less than 100 infections per 100,000 inhabitants to enter the EU.

The entry measures for passengers from India, Brazil, South Africa, Botswana, Comoros, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Peru and Colombia will be maintained until the 31st of May. Moreover, passengers flying from India from the 1st of May have to quarantine upon their arrival. This measure will be mantained during 14 days at least.

The EU COVID-19 certificate has been approved and it could be available at the beginning of the summer. It will allow movements within the continent to those who have been vaccinated or produced antibodies and to those who have been tested (PCR or an antigen test). In order to avoid discrimination against those not vaccinated and for economic reasons, EU countries should also “ensure universal, accessible, timely and free of charge testing”. Meanwhile, this week Vueling has started using the IATA Travel Pass.

Transportation offer

The global airlines capacity during 03/05 week has decreased by -43.2%, and in Spain, by -72,1% (var. 21/19). However, Spain has experienced a +13.1% increase if compared to the previous week.

The forecasts show an important recovery in the number of seats operated worldwide over the coming weeks, specially from summer, although it must be reminded that airlines continue to readjust their flight schedules week after week.

On the 10/05, the new Ouigo train will start operating. It will cover the high-speed journey from Barcelona to Madrid with stops inbetween, and it will compete directly with the AVE train service.

Tourist offer and professional events

In Barcelona city, 138 hotels with 31,951 beds remain open. The Eixample, the Gothic Quarter, and Sant Martí are the districts with more available offer.

81.8% of the cultural facilities in Barcelona city are open to the public. However, some of the most visited sightseeing places in Barcelona city keep temporarily closed: Sagrada Familia, Tibidabo and Casa Batlló. However, these last two will reopen next week.

As for the professional events, it must be highlighted that there are 97 confirmed congresses for the upcoming years, 46 in 2021.

Tourist demand

Over the last week, Google searches from Spain for Barcelona city have increased, while those for Destination Barcelona, have decreased. Most of the searches for both geographical areas keep coming from Catalonia.

The Barcelona flights and accommodation searches achieve their best positioning on the Dutch, the French, the Italian and the Spanish markets, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. Destination Barcelona has ranked 10th in search of accommodation and 13th in search of flights in the ranking of international destinations worldwide.

The hotel bookings in Barcelona city over the last week (25/04-01/05) have slightly increased: while two weeks ago, 25.6% of bookings had been made, last week, they were 28.4% (as compared with the peak of January 2020). Over the same week, the volume of hotel reservations in Destination Barcelona has been lower: while two weeks ago, 51.8% of bookings have been made, last week, they were 44.7% (as compared with the peak of January 2020).

Destination Barcelona tourism forecast (07/05/2021)