The Observatory of Tourism in Barcelona updates the Destination Barcelona tourism forecast report as of 08/10/2021. This report highlights the effects of Covid-19 on the tourism sector.

Note: due to the stability of data, from now on this report will be published biweekly. Next issue date: 22/10/21

Covid-19 situation

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

In Catalonia, from the 08/10 to the 22/10, the following measures affect the tourism sector:

• Restaurants and bars: 50% of capacity on the inside and 100% on the outside of the establishments. Opening time: until 1.00 am.
• Commerce: 70% of capacity on shops without surface limit
• Professional events: allowed at 70% of their capacity
• Culture: 70% of capacity in museums, exhibition centers, cinemas and concert halls until 23 h. Opening time: until 1.00 am.
• Nightlife: 70% of capacity with Covid certificate. Dance with face mask is allowed. Opening time: according to specific authorization of the premises.
• Sports: public is allowed at 70% of capacity. In sports activities with a capacity of more than 10,000 people, 60% (outdoors) and 40% (indoors) is allowed.
• Amusement parks: 50% of capacity
  
   

Source markets

The EU Digital COVID certificate is operational. In Spain, the entrance of passengers from EU countries (or zones) with risk is allowed if one of the following is presented:

1. Vaccination certificate

2. Diagnosis certificate

3. Recovery certificate

The rest of EU passengers are accepted without any certificate.

On the other hand, passengers traveling from intercontinental countries considered as "no risk countries" are also accepted as long as they present the vaccination certificate. 

Transportation offer

The global airlines capacity during 04/10 week has decreased by -30.2%, and in Spain, by -26.6% (var. 21/19), which means a decrease of 20,000 seats on the previous week.

The forecasts show an increase in the number of seats operated worldwide through the end of the year. However it must be reminded that airlines continue to readjust their flight schedules week after week.

During the following week, 18 cruises ships are leaving or making a stopover at Barcelona Port.

Tourist offer and professional events

Beasides, 89.8% of the cultural facilities in Barcelona city are open.

As for the professional events, it must be highlighted that there are 117 confirmed congresses for the upcoming years, 26 in 2021. Meanwhile, about 90 applications are open until 2027.

Tourist demand

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

The Barcelona flights and accommodation searches achieve their best positioning on the French, the Spanish, the Dutch and the Italian markets, followed by United Kingdom. Destination Barcelona has ranked again, 12th in searches of accommodation and 8th in searches of flights in the ranking of international destinations worldwide.

Finally, from 26/09 to 02/10, hotel reservations in Barcelona city have stood at 64.3% compared to the series peak (January 2020), which means an increase over the previous week (61.2%). In Barcelona region, the bookings have stood at 56.1% compared to the series peak (June 2021), which also means a growth over the previous week (55.6%). The lead time in Barcelona city has stood at 14 days and, in Barcelona region, 11 days. As for the origin of the bookings, international bookings have been higher than the nationals in both geographical regions, especially in Barcelona city.

Destination Barcelona tourism forecast (08/10/2021)