Spanish change summer holiday plans due to fears of Covid-19 infections

FEARS over possible Covid-19 infections have prompted 65 per cent of the Spanish to change their summer holiday plans, a new report reveals.

The Emisor Tourism National Observatory (ObservaTUR) study shows that six out of 10 Spaniards will travel over the coming months, but just 20 per cent are sticking to their original holiday idea.

Less than one in four are planning on going abroad, compared with 46 per cent last year.

Of the 76 per cent who will be holidaying in Spain, the top choice is a sun and sand vacation, preferably in an uncrowded destination.

More than 80 per cent said they will be driving to their holiday spot, while the number of people planning to take a plane is down some 25 per cent, according to the report.

The coronavirus pandemic has also impacted on Spaniards’ holiday budgets. The study found spending will be 17 per cent less than in 2019, at an average of €595 per person.

Nearly 40 per cent will opt to stay in their own accommodation, up from 22 per cent last year. One in four will stay in hotels, compared with 41 per cent last summer, and 14 per cent in a holiday apartment, down from 19 per cent.

Of those who are expecting to travel this summer, 21 per cent said they feel safe about doing so.

More than four out 10 of those who will not be holidaying this year gave Covid-19 as the reason. The second most common factor was money matters, followed by an unhappiness about safety measures.

Seven out of 10 of those staying at home this season do not expect to take their first trip until next year, and 5 per cent said they would be putting it back until beyond 2021.

On the positive side, the study authors concluded that all is not lost for Spain’s tourism sector this year and there are “signs of hope.”

They said it would not be “as catastrophic as some describe it,” with inland and beach tourism within Spain the “stars” of the season.