The Observatory of Tourism in Barcelona updates the Destination Barcelona tourism forecast report as of 04/06/2021. 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 4th of June, 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 01.00 h. 
• Commerce: 70% 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
• Amusement parks: 50% of capacity

Source markets

The EU Digital COVID certificate will be valid from the 01/07, although some countries some countries may start piloting it from the 07/06.

On the other hand, from the 07/06 Spain could allow the entrance of passengers from outside the EU who have completed the vaccination process.

The European Parliament has added Japan to the list of countries from which it can enter the EU without restrictions. In Spain, the United Kingdom has been also included in this list so that no PCR is required for passengers coming from this country.

However, the entry measures for passengers coming from India are maintained. 

Transportation offer

The global airlines capacity during 31/05 week has decreased by -40,4%, and in Spain, by -58,7% (var. 21/19). However, Spain has experienced a week-on-week growth of +24,6%, which means almost 285,000 new seats in a single 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 Spanish Government will lift the ban on the cruise activity imposed since March 2020 on 06/07/21.

Tourist offer and professional events

In Barcelona city, 176 hotels with 39,707 beds remain open. The Eixample, the Gothic Quarter, and Sant Martí are the districts with more available offer.

Beasides, 86.4% of the cultural facilities in Barcelona city are open, while restrictive measures for the development of cultural and sports activities are being eased.

As for the professional events, it must be highlighted that there are 95 confirmed congresses for the upcoming years, 42 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, once again, 11th in search of accommodation and 10th in search of flights in the ranking of international destinations worldwide.

Destination Barcelona tourism forecast (04/06/2021)