The Observatory of Tourism in Barcelona weekly updates of the Destination Barcelona tourism forecast report as of 06/11/2020. This report highlights the effects of the second wave of Covid-19 on the tourism sector. 

Covid-19: the second wave

In Europe, several countries keep adopting internal restrictive measures to stop the increase of infection, while in Spain, many Autonomous Communities, including Catalonia, are implementing perimeter lockdowns. Moreover, in Catalonia, and for 15 days at least since the 30/10 other measures have been taken: 

- Restaurants and bars are closed: only take-away and delivery is permitted

- Congresses, corporate meetings, and incentives and workshops have been canceled

- Night curfew from 10 pm to 6 am

- Municipalities lockdown: from Friday at 6 am until Monday at 6 am

Source markets

As for the internal European mobility, despite the borders are open, almost all EU countries maintain restrictive measures. Some of them have recommended not to visit Catalonia and/or Spain, others have imposed mandatory quarantines, PCR tests, or other measures to passengers coming from Spain.

Scheduled global flights during 06/11 week have been decreased by -45.8% year-on-year, maintaining the same loss as the previous week. However, weekly capacity has remained virtually stable since July's last week. In Spain, the air capacity has dropped by -64.2%, which means a gain of +0.1pp compared to last week's loss.

During the last week, Norwegian has announced the ceasing of its operations at Barcelona Airport until February. On the other hand, TUI has temporarily canceled all its travel programs from England and Wales to any destination.

Tourist demand

The Google searches for Barcelona city, as a tourist destination, from the Spanish market have slightly increased over the last week. However, the searches for Destination Barcelona have remained stable. Most of the searches for both geographical areas keep coming from Catalonia.

As for the hotel bookings in Barcelona city over the last week (26/10-01/11), they have remained at a very low level. While two weeks ago, 12.8% of bookings had been made, last week, they were 10.3% (as compared with the peak of January). Over that same week, the volume of hotel reservations in Destination Barcelona has also kept downsizing. While two weeks ago, 18.2% of bookings have been made, and last week, they were 16.9% (as compared with the peak of January).

Tourist offer and professional events

The number of open cultural facilities in Barcelona city has dropped during the last week: 88 cultural facilities are being monitored and 2 out of 3 are open to the public. Some of the most visited sightseeing places in Barcelona city have been temporarily closed (Camp Nou Experience, Barcelona Zoo, Poble Espanyol, Tibidabo, and Casa Batlló).

Regarding the hotel offer, on 02/11/2020, 123 hotels were open in Barcelona city with a total of 27,622 beds available. The Eixample, the Gothic Quarter, and Sant Martí are the districts with more available offer.

Finally, as for the professional events, it must be highlighted that there are 115 confirmed congresses for the upcoming years.

Destination Barcelona tourism forecast report 06/11/2020 (in Catalan)