Catalonia has just declared a state of emergency in 202 municipalities, mainly around Barcelona, due to the historic drought affecting the northeast of Spain.
Agriculture and industry are affected, of course, but undoubtedly also the tourism sector.
Remember that the Spanish region is the most visited in the country: it welcomed 21.2 million tourists in 2023 out of a total of 85.1 million in the country, and has a large hotel portfolio.
The plan, which responds to this unprecedented precipitation crisis, provides, among other restrictions, forbidding the filling, even partially, of swimming pools.
With a few exceptions, such as those intended for sports use, or those running on sea water. It is this last option that tourist establishments capable of adapting will try to use.
Read alsoDrought: the Barcelona metropolitan area placed in a state of “emergency”
The general directorate of tourism of the regional government indicates that the hotels are ready: “
Even if the swimming pool is on the terrace, everything is planned,”
assured an official to the daily
El País
.
That remains to be seen.
Because for the president of the
Gremio de hoteles de Barcelona
association , Jordi Clos, quoted by the EFE agency, hotels unable to modify their swimming pools will deplore “
a significant loss of occupancy”
.
The fact remains that these establishments consume even more than the maximum average imposed by the authorities, 200 liters per inhabitant per day.
In 2016, a customer of a five-star hotel consumed 545 liters, compared to 165 in a two-star hotel.
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Water meters per room
When it comes to tourism, you should also expect to see fountains at half mast - it is illegal to fill them -, yellowed grass - impossible to water -, ice rinks or leisure activities including closed water jets (regional authorities do not have not ruled out supplying Barcelona with water using tankers in recent weeks).
As for the beach, it will be wide open.
But you shouldn't rely on showers to remove sand or salt.
They will be disconnected for the duration of the state of emergency.
You will have to wait until you return to the hotel, where between 50 and 70% of water consumption goes into the bathrooms.
Does this mean that your landlord will bang on the door if you shampoo for too long?
No.
Legal obligations - and fines - concern the municipalities, even if the institutions and companies concerned are increasing awareness campaigns so that visitors are aware of the seriousness of the situation and act responsibly.
The Cotton House, a five-star hotel in Barcelona, has warned that it will only change sheets and towels upon request from guests or indication from staff, while Barcelona Princess has installed water meters in each room, for educational purposes only.
In video -
Impressive images of a historic drought in Spain