Catalonia’s Bid for Independence Is Complicating Tourism in Spain
Skift Take
A prolonged period of uncertainty over Catalonia's future does nobody any favors. The region and the city of Barcelona have endured a difficult 2017 and it will be interesting to see if this has any impact on tourism in 2018.
Last week, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont declared independence from Spain. The move, which followed a controversial referendum, was greeted with wild applause on the streets of Barcelona, where large crowds had gathered to watch the speech.
The onlookers’ delight soon turned to disappointment as seconds later Puigdemont effectively suspended the quest for statehood to continue talks with the Spanish government.
This state of confusion continues still, with nobody quite sure what the future holds for Catalonia. Furious with Puigdemont for failing to clarify his position, the Spanish government gave him until Thursday to rectify that. Puigdemont declined to back away from his push for independence, blaming the government for continuing to "impede dialogue." The Spanish government has now said that it will suspend the region's autonomy.
One of Spain's greatest selling points to foreign tourists has always been its stability — and the movement for Catalan independence p
