Europe’s Tourism Fallout From the Mobile World Congress Cancellation
Photo Credit: The Fira Gran Via in Barcelona. Flickr / Jason Cross
Skift Take
Canceling a major event like Mobile World Congress will undoubtedly have a huge impact on the tourism industry. The question is whether the organizations that decided to cancel the event will provide any assistance to affected businesses.
The cancellation of Barcelona's Mobile World Congress will no doubt have a major effect on the telecom industry, as the year's major event to hobnob and ink deals won't take place. But it will also have an outsize effect on another industry: Barcelona tourism, and perhaps European tourism at large.
The event, which was meant to take place Feb. 24–27 was canceled Wednesday due to global concerns over Covid-19, or the coronavirus. The GSMA, which organizes the event, made the call after a slew of major tech companies including Amazon, Nokia, and LG Electronics pulled out over concerns. In a statement, it said the climate of global concern made it "impossible for the GSMA to hold the event" despite increased health, safety, and screening measures it had put forth.
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The congress has been held in Barcelona since 2006, and in that time has come to serve as a key part of Barcelona's visitor economy. T
