The Observatory of Tourism in Barcelona updates the Destination Barcelona tourism forecast report as of 21/05/2021. 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 24th of May, the following measures will affect the tourism sector:

- Restaurants and bars: 50% of capacity on the inside and 100% on the outside of the establishments. Opening hours from 06.00 am to 00.00 h. 

- Commerce: 50% of capacity on shops without surface limit

- Professional events: allowed at 50% of their capacity

- Culture: 70% of capacity in museums, exhibition centers, cinemas and concert halls until 23 h

Source markets

With regard to international borders, restrictive measures are mantained worldwide. However, this week the European Union has approved the opening of borders to passengers from outside the EU who have completed the vaccination process, at least 14 days before their arrival.

In addition, the EU COVID-19 certificate will be valid from the 01/07. 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). Finally, this test will not be free, but will be subsidized.

On the other hand, the Spanish government has included the United Kingdom and Japan to the list of countries without restrictions to access Spain from th 24/05, so that no tests will be required for passengers coming from these countries.

However, 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. 

Transportation offer

The global airlines capacity during 17/05 week has decreased by -41.8%, and in Spain, by -67.0% (var. 21/19). However, Spain has experienced a +10.5% 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.

Tourist offer and professional events

In Barcelona city, 156 hotels with 35,812 beds remain open. The Eixample, the Gothic Quarter, and Sant Martí are the districts with more available offer.

As of 20/05, 85.2% of the cultural facilities in Barcelona city are open to the public. Besides, Sagrada Familia will reopen on the 29/05/21.

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 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 11th in search of flights in the ranking of international destinations worldwide.

The hotel bookings in Barcelona city over the last week (09/05-15/05) have slightly increased: while two weeks ago, 31.3% of bookings had been made, last week, they were 35.6% (as compared with the peak of January 2020). Over the same week, the volume of hotel reservations in Barcelona region has been higher too: while two weeks ago, 52,6% of bookings have been made, last week, they were 61,5% (as compared with the peak of January 2020). National reservations keep being higher in Barcelona region, while for the second consecutive week since August 2020, international bookings have exceeded the domestic ones in Barcelona city.

Destination Barcelona tourism forecast (21/05/2021)