The Mesa del Turismo, a body that comprises that some fifty leading businesspeople from Spain's tourism industry, has called for the resignation of the director of the Centre for Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies, Dr. Fernando Simón. The association says that Simón is "celebrating the ruin of a sector that provides more than 12.5% of GDP and 13% of the country's employment".
The call for his resignation follows remarks made on Monday. Responding to a Belgian government recommendation that its citizens do not travel to Spain, Simón said that it would be better if they did not come, as they would be "taking a risk away from us". On the UK's quarantine, Simón's observation was similar. "From a health point of view these decisions help us."
The Mesa del Turismo has been critical of the Spanish government's efforts to revive tourism. But while these have been "insufficient", Simón's comments are "completely intolerable". The president, Juan Molas, says: "We cannot understand how a person who demonstrates this profound ignorance of the economy and the country's functioning can occupy a political position that all Spaniards pay for."
The opposition Partido Popular has also criticised Simón for "celebrating that tourists do not come to Spain", stressing that the country is safe and a "fantastic holiday destination".
The leader of the PP, Pablo Casado, is insisting that the Spanish government "rectifies" Simón's comments, adding that the recommendation not to travel to Spain is "reckless" for the tourism industry, which has "already collapsed because of the pandemic".
3 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
Dr. Fernando is correct. From a health point of view, the more people mobility the more chance of the virus spreading. It is not him that should resign but the politicians who are greedy and are only thinking of the money and saving the tourist season. A recent trip back from Madrid to Palma saw a totally full flight on Air Europa....scandalous.
Worrying that the economy is far more important than health. The only thing people want to hear is the truth, which regardless of the media will out
He’s not saying don’t come. he’s saying that countries with higher rates of infection than Spain are helping Spain by restricting travel. As much as we also need tourists here, he actually has a valid point that requires some of these immature politicians here to grow some balls and stop scoring puerile political points. Britain has just made Spain look stupid and what do we get? This.