Start Planning Your Holidays In Spain

    “Start planning your holidays in Spain”, Pedro Sánchez told foreign tourists adding that the industry would resume “with full health guarantees”.

Tourists will be able to come to Spain again from July “in conditions of safety”, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced at a press conference on Saturday.

“Tourism is a vital sector for the Spanish economy” says Sánchez as he encourages professionals in the sector to “prepare for activity to resume in coming days” and for when Spain reopens its frontiers to international tourism in July.

“There will be a tourist season this summer,” stated the prime minister, adding that the domestic market would return first.

He called for people in Spain to plan their holidays and to make the most of the “wonders” this country has to offer tourists. Many will be able to do this “very soon, from the end of June, onwards,” he said.

From 22^ndJune the government is to create “safe corridors” to link areas of Spain that have moved into Phase Three of the plan to ease lockdown restrictions as well as with some European cities.

In terms of tourists coming from other countries, Sánchez confirmed what government minister Teresa Ribera said on Thursday, that activity would be able to resume in July. This would happen “in conditions of safety” he said, adding that tourists could “start planning their holidays in Spain now”.

“Spain needs tourism and tourism needs safety [in the countries of] origin and safety in the destination, and for that reason we will guarantee that tourists are not at risk here and that they don’t bring risks to our country,” said Sánchez.

“Health is not inconsistent with business; without health there is no business, and that’s why the government will combine its firm financial support for the sector with full health guarantees,” added the prime minister.

Sánchez sent out the following message to foreign tourists: “Spain will be waiting for you from the month of July, and whoever comes to Spain, can be sure that they are coming to a land that has health guarantees and that is committed to the sustainability of our planet.”

Quarantine to be lifted

The government confirmed this week that the 14-day quarantine rule would be lifted by 1 July when foreign tourists start coming back to Spain.

Controls will be in place at airports, however, although, ministers have not specified whether this will involve body temperature checks or Covid-19 tests.

The tourism industry has previously warned that Spain’s 14-day quarantine rule in force for anyone entering the country is likely to send holidaymakers to rival destinations such as Italy or Greece. Both countries have said that when they open to foreign tourists (in June for Italy and or July for Greece) there will be no self-isolation requirements.

Spain’s quarantine rule will in theory last as long as the state of alarm is in place, the most recent extension being until 7 June.

The New Normal

Despite this good news we cannot forget that Covid 19 will still be present and no doubt there will be continuing restrictions including social distancing so holidays will not be as they previously were. Also there is a dependency on what, if any quarantine and self-isolating restrictions upon arriving home.

News is starting to appear suggesting that some timeshare resorts will be reopening in the near future. Although not comprehensive, here are some updates:

• CLC World – 14^thJune
• Macdonald Resorts – No update
• Seasons UK – 4^thJuly
• Sunset Beach Club Benalmadena – 6^thJune
• Diamond Resorts as per countries below:

• Austria through July 3, 2020
• France through July 9, 2020
• Greece through June 30, 2020
• Italy through July 2, 2020
• Malta through June 11, 2020
• Portugal through June 9, 2020
• Spain (including Canary Islands) through June 7, 2020
• United Kingdomthrough July 4, 2020

For the USA we suggest that you contact your resort because each state will have different rules, for example; Florida resorts are beginning to open with restrictions such as closure of swimming pools, whereas resorts in the State of Massachusetts remain closed until June 15th,

Naturally we are keeping an eye on developments and will post further updates as and when they become available.

For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk