TOURISM CRISIS WILL LIFT IN 2010By David Eade
Experts in the tourism industry believe that the sector will start to recover in 2010. This was the opinion expressed at the Universidad de Málaga summer courses being held in Ronda. However other professionals believe this is too optimistic and the upturn will not come for two or three years.
There is also the belief that the recovery from the crisis should be used “for a slower and responsible” increase in sustainable development. The researcher at the Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Venancio Bote, says the economic crisis “is an opportunity to carry out a series of structural changes and strategic objectives in tourism development” to be more competitive with the French and Italian markets.
Whilst it was recognised that Andalucía is one of the best projected autonomous regions it was also stressed that recovery be at a slower pace and linked to responsible change. In addition emphasis needed to be placed on emerging markets whose needs differ from the European and English sectors that have traditionally driven Spanish tourism.
A view from a different angle was put forward by the director of the Fundación ACS, Francisco Menor Monasterio. He called for a removal of architectural barriers pointing out that in Spain there are 3.5 million people who have some form of handicap. He said these people formed an important emerging market and in addition there were many handicapped people overseas who wished to visit Spain. This group of tourists is said to spend 78 per cent more than average visitors but were deterred by the large amount of obstacles on the country’s streets and poor access to buildings.
TEN POINTS
The association of small and medium sized businesses in Ronda has raised ten objections to the plan for the historic quarter of the town. The document which is on public display to August 7 was studied by its technical and legal advisers. It has complained about a lack of information and that the plan goes against provisions in the local development plan (PGOU).
BAD PRAWN
The president of the Partido Popular in Ronda, Begoña Chacón, has criticised the town hall administration for organising the recent gastronomic event ‘Gambaria 09’ using businesses from outside of the municipality. Chacón pointed to the fact that Ronda’s hotel and catering sector was in crisis because of the economic situation and the drop in visitor numbers and accused the mayor of “disloyalty”.
NURSING FEARS
There are fears that the university school of nursing in Ronda could be in danger because it does not meet the requirements laid down by the Plan Bolonia. According to the Partido Popular it does not have the minimum number of professors with the grade of doctor. The PP fears this could lead to its closure in the short or medium term.
PARKING DEBATE
Ronda wants to do away with street parking in its historic quarter. Officials are discussing with residents the best way of achieving this. It is estimated that 70 existing parking slots would be removed but there are 200 new spaces at El Castillo. The suggestion is that residents would be given cards to allow them to park for free at the car park.
SAFER RAILWAYS
Adif, which is responsible for railway infrastructure, has started work on 73.8 kilometres of line where it is closing unsupervised crossings both in rural and urban areas on the Bobadilla to Algeciras network. The objective is to increase safety for the public and trains. Work is being carried out in stages between Jimera de Líbar –Cortes, Gaucín to Jimena and at Cortes itself.
