Money worry hits Easter in Spain

HOTELS used to have as many Spanish clients during Holy Week as in the summer high season.

Now, however, a third of Spaniards have yet to decide whether or not they will go away during the Easter break.

Sixty-five per cent cited financial problems as their principal reason for not going away, with a further 15 per cent blaming work commitments.

Twenty-five per cent had already made up their minds to go away although they would be spending less than in previous years Nielsen Consumer Research revealed.

Most would be staying in their own holiday homes or with relatives or friends, they said.  They intended to stock up beforehand with food and other necessities in order to reduce spending, they admitted.

Extra domestic outlays would be reduced to a minimum over Easter, all participants told the Nielson survey and eating out would be one of the first extras to go.