The Observatory of Tourism in Barcelona updates the Destination Barcelona tourism forecast report as of 14/05/2021. 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, until the 23rd of 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, the European Commission plans to allow passengers from countries with less than 100 infections per 100,000 inhabitants to enter the EU. This week Israel has been added to the list of countries from which passengers are allowed 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”.

Transportation offer

The global airlines capacity during 10/05 week has decreased by -43.4%, and in Spain, by -69.6% (var. 21/19). However, Spain has experienced a +9.0% 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.

The new Ouigo train is already operating (10/05). It covers the high-speed journey from Barcelona to Madrid with stops inbetween, and it competes directly with the AVE train service.

The procedure for authorizing the arrival of cruise ships in Catalonia has been approved.

Tourist offer and professional events

In Barcelona city, 149 hotels with 34,766 beds remain open. The Eixample, the Gothic Quarter, and Sant Martí are the districts with more available offer.

83.0% of the cultural facilities in Barcelona city will be open to the public with the reopenings of Casa Batlló and Tibidabo by 16/05/21. However, Sagrada Familia keeps temporarily closed.

The Catalan government has approved the sectoral plan for the reopening of the nightlife activity.

As for the professional events, it must be highlighted that there are 96 confirmed congresses for the upcoming years, 43 in 2021. Meanwhile, about 90 applications are open until 2027.

Tourist demand

Over the last week, Google searches from Spain for both Barcelona city and 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 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 12th in search of flights in the ranking of international destinations worldwide.

The hotel bookings in Barcelona city over the last week (02/05-08/05) have slightly increased: while two weeks ago, 28.4% of bookings had been made, last week, they were 31.3% (as compared with the peak of January 2020). Over the same week, the volume of hotel reservations in Barcelona region has been lower: while two weeks ago, 44,7% of bookings have been made, last week, they were 52,6% (as compared with the peak of January 2020). National reservations keep being higher in Barcelona region, while this week, and for the first time since August 2020, international bookings have exceeded the domestic ones in Barcelona city.

Destination Barcelona tourism forecast (14/05/2021)