The Observatory of Tourism in Barcelona updates of the Destination Barcelona tourism forecast report as of 18/12/2020. This report highlights the effects of the second wave of Covid-19 on the tourism sector. 

Covid-19: the second wave

In Europe, countries will start to vaccinate against Covid-19 from 27/12, while they keep adopting restrictive measures.

In Spain, from 23/11, a negative PCR test is required for all those passengers arriving from any high-risk European country. In addition, many Autonomous Communities are implementing perimeter lockdowns.

In Catalonia, a plan for the progressive reopening of activities has been ongoing from 23/11. From 21/12 to 11/01, the following restrictions affecting the tourism sector will be applied:

- Restaurants and bars: parcial reopening with a capacity of 30% on both the outside and the inside. Opening hours from 7.30 am to 9.30 am for breakfasts, and from 1 pm to 3.30 pm for lunch. From 7pm to 10pm only take-away dinners can be served. Delivery until 11pm.

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

- Night curfew from 10 pm to 6 am

- Catalonia territory perimeter lockdown: except for family and close contacts visits.

- Regions lockdown: from Monday to Sunday except family visits and coexistence-group trips to second homes or fixed destinations such as hotels or rural accomodation.

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 14/12 week have been decreased by -43.5% year-on-year. In Spain, the air capacity has dropped by -61.8%, which means a gain of +6.1pp compared to last week's loss.

Tourist offer and professional events

On 14/12/2020, 113 hotels were open in Barcelona city with a total of 25,030 beds available. The Eixample, the Gothic Quarter, and Sant Martí are the districts with more available offer.

The number of open cultural facilities in Barcelona city has remained stable during the last week: 88 cultural facilities are being monitored and 68.2% are open to the public. Some of the most visited sightseeing places in Barcelona city keep temporarily closed (Camp Nou Experience, Tibidabo, and Casa Batlló).

As for the professional events, it must be highlighted that there are 110 confirmed congresses for the upcoming years.

Tourist demand

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

As for flight searches to Barcelona, noteworthy is the last weeks' upward trend of several countries (Spain, UK, Germany and France) has been stopped. The Spanish an the British markets have experienced the least important losses (-61%). By contrast, the most affected market continues to be the United States, with a -84% drop. 

The hotel bookings in Barcelona city over the last week (07/12-13/12) have been decreased: while two weeks ago, 23.3% of bookings had been made, last week, they were 20.8% (as compared with the peak of January). Over that same week, the volume of hotel reservations in Destination Barcelona has also fallen: while two weeks ago, 38.3% of bookings have been made, last week, they were 26.3% (as compared with the peak of January).

Destination Barcelona tourism forecast (18/12/2020)