This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
On June 21, 2020, Spain took a significant step towards reviving its economy by reopening its borders to European tourists. This move aims to kickstart the nation's economy, which took a dip due to the coronavirus lockdown.
As part of the reopening, Spain dropped the 14-day quarantine requirement for visitors from Britain and countries in the European Union's visa-free Schengen travel zone. The nation also ended its national state of emergency after three months of lockdown.
Tourism is a leading industry in Spain, with 80 million tourists visiting the country every year, contributing 12% to the nation's GDP. The Spanish Central Bank forecasts a worst-case-scenario contraction of the sector by as much as 15% this year.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a €4.25 billion package to bolster the country's battered tourism industry. The package includes a $2.8 billion share of the government's loan guarantee program, which will be used exclusively by companies in the tourism industry.
The package also includes $224 million for the tourism sector to spend on cleaning and other safety measures, as well as $964 million in loans to bolster tourism companies' digitalization, use of renewable energy, and modernization of facilities. Additionally, a moratorium on mortgage-loan payments for some tourism businesses has been implemented.
As part of the government's push to support tourism, state-controlled airport manager Aena will be cutting airplane landing fees in Spanish airports.
Other European countries, including Italy, have also announced plans to reopen their borders. Italy reopened its borders to people arriving from European Union member countries, countries within the Schengen Zone, the United Kingdom, and Northern Ireland on June 3, 2020.
Europe, with the exception of Germany, has also announced plans to reopen its borders partially from July 1, 2020. Egypt plans to reopen all its airports and resume international flights from July 1, 2020, with the aim of attracting foreign tourists to three provinces with the least coronavirus infections.
Other countries, including Zanzibar and South Sudan, have also reopened their airports and resumed international flights.
