Thomas Cook disaster aftereffect : 400,000 Spanish holidays ruined

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Tourists planning to travel in Spain this winter could be facing problems as Spain’s tourism industry is hit with the aftershocks of Thomas Cook’s collapse.

The Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation has said that 1.3 million autumn and winter visitors will be affected this holiday season. It is also believed that around 500 hotels might have to shut their doors.

Passengers due to fly to the winter hotspot were left in shock when the British holiday provider went into liquidation, affecting around 600,000 travellers.

At present, hotels are operational but there will be a reduction in the flights to the areas due to which far fewer tourists are expected to descend than usual.

The head of CEHAT, Ramon Estalella, said that the hotels were open but the customers couldn’t get there.

Spanish government expects the Canary Islands to be worst affected and they suggest that around 400,000 travellers will not make it to the islands, resulting in a loss of hundreds of millions of Euros to hotels and tourist outlets in the area.

The government has predicted that around 500 hotels and 3,400 staff members will be affected.

The news comes after the closure of the Fuerteventura Princess which was forced to close after its exclusive deal with Thomas Cook fell through.

About 95 per cent hotel rooms were filled by Thomas Cook customers up to 2023.160 staff members are being laid off as a result of the closure.

Estalella is now urging immediate action to save the country’s tourism sector.

CEHAT head Ramon Estalella said that efforts should be taken to get airlines to pick up the slack and take ore slots by slashing costs. He also said that it was unfair that hotels had to pay VAT on bills charged to Thomas Cook and its subsidiaries which they knew they would be never paid.

Spain Government has now promised a package of measures worth €300 including emergency credit lines and a reduction in airport fees. The government has also outlined plans to spend €500m in improving tourism infrastructure.

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