Authorities from Andalucía were positive at Fitur, which was held face-to-face with strict Covid protocol, but stressed the importance of recovering UK visitors.
There was optimism this week within the tourism industry as the Fitur international tourism fair officially opened its doors in Madrid on Wednesday.
This is the first major face-to-face event in the industry since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and as such has become a symbolic starting signal of the recovery of the sector.
“The Costa del Sol awaits everyone with open arms,” said the president of the provincial authority and Costa tourist board Francisco Salado in Madrid earlier this week.
Along with other local authorities, he visited the central Puerta del Sol metro station which has been renamed Costa del Sol this week as part of the area’s Fitur promotion in the capital.
Around 80 organisations from Malaga province, including town halls and businesses, as well as 150 industry professionals, are taking part in the tourism fair, which runs until Sunday with strict Covid-10 health and safety procedures in place.
The Andalucía stand at the fair was opened on Wednesday by President Juanma Moreno and Vice-President and regional Tourism Minister Juan Marín.
Moreno said the region had gone to Fitur with “positive expectations” but stressed the importance of the region recovering British visitors “as soon as possible”. He called for the Spanish government to push firmly for a safe air corridor with the UK.
“Andalucía is a safe destination,” stressed Marín, saying that ongoing meetings were being held to ensure that Spain can move from the UK’s amber to green holiday destination list.
Published by Pilar Martinez in Sur in English
Costa Del Sol España 