Bauzá said on Monday that it is unacceptable that a member of the German government should be making this type of statement at a time of crisis in Europe. The ex-president suggested that behind the words there was "a degree of populism that merely seeks to fuel" northern and southern European differences.
The rate of infection in the Balearics and the Canaries, Bauzá observed, is lower than the vast majority of German 'Länder' (states). The Spanish government would "in no instance think to tell its citizens not to travel to Germany". "Thanks to the European project, Germany is as much a part of the Spanish borders as any part of Spain is."
Bauzá referred to his proposal for a 'Europe Brand' to promote tourism within the EU and to "not speak of countries but of a single entity - the whole of Europe". "To stay behind internal borders would be to backtrack on the European project that Germany has always championed." Insisting that there cannot be "falsehoods" directed at individual member states, Bauzá added that the Balearics are as safe as anywhere. "Majorca has always welcomed Germans, and Ciudadanos are taking an active role in ensuring that German tourists who have second residences on the island can enjoy it as soon as the health crisis has passed."
As well as urging the German authorities to retract the "malicious" words, Bauzá called on the regional government to demand an apology from the German government. "We cannot allow the good tourism image of the Balearics to be tarnished abroad."
8 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
Seems to me José Ramón Bauzá being the "populist". I am German and would travel to Spain, France, Italy or elsewhere if these countries would let me travel in. But that's not the case. They just don't let me come, their frontiers are closed. So instead complaining about a foreign tourist commisioner nobody knows Bauzá should do his job and not blaming others. What should a tourist commissioner say, if frontiers are closed? Think of travelling in your own country. I don't find any "populism" in this words. For me it's a clear analysis of the status quo. Probably someone should mention this to Bauzá too.
I think that the dream of tourists from others countries coming to Mallorca is a unicorn dream. Spain is closed and will be for a long time. The aircraft carries are going bust so by which means will tourists come to Mallorca? I also note that only german tourists will be welcome in this unicorn dream and not tourists from sweden. Why so? Well, the heady for Mallorca as a tourist destination is long lost and gone and that forever. It is time to adjust to that.
Who would want to vacation in Germany? As an Englishman, ive been to Bavaria on vacation and thought it fantastic. Spent a week in Berlin last year and I can tell you it was much more cool and trendy with fantastic bars and restaurants than anything on ive seen on my many many trips to Madrid and tacky Barcelona.
Seriously, this man chooses this moment to insert himself in a conversation that hardly concerns him, such to score politically. Demanding apology.. really?!?! Go do something useful and help rebuild your island, your country.
"Mark Badoer... who in his right mind wants to vacation in Germany."Me for a start. Aside from twice a year visits to Mallorca (cancelled this year) I also visit Germany. Lovely country. Also, I think you can add the UK to the stay-cationers this year.
Even though this German minister can say what he likes, I kind of agree with Bauza, as it seems the wrong time and place make this sort of statement. Bauza states would never say the opposite, which would be no point anyway, as who in his right mind wants to vacation in Germany. At the same time, Bauza´s words may come at the wrong time and place too, as Spain will desperately need to billions and even trillions from the Northern European countries soon. Politicians.....they never seem to learn and always think of short term points to score, without looking at the bigger picture.
Sounds like Bauzá can't accept what is obvious to the rest of the World ? No one will be travelling this year and my two trips to Majorca this year are already filed away as history....
Stop being so sensitive. The UK tourist minister basically said the same by saying no one in the UK should be booking s summer holiday. Tourists in Germany and the UK by staying at home are reducing their risk of catching the disease dramatically by not flying here and staying in hotels. The same is true of Spaniards travelling abroad. The problem is Spain and especially the Balearics needs tourism much more than other places. This season is a write off. The only people who don't see that are people who get paid to promote tourism and have a vested interest. To the rest of us, they are deluded.