The possibility that the United Kingdom will reimpose quarantine on travelers from Spain has generated "concern" in the island's tourism business association. "It's very bad news," said the president of the Lanzarote Tourism Federation, Susana Pérez, on Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero.
And, in statements to the British press, TUI has already announced that if the UK Government reinstates the quarantine, it will suspend its holiday program with Spain. Thus, Pérez fears that British tourists will stop coming and that some hotels will "backtrack" on their decision to open. "It's tough," she said.
In fact, she stated that the arrival of British tourists to the island from July, especially in the second half of the month, "has motivated some establishments to open." "From an initial number in July that did not reach 40, nearly 60 have decided to open, but that headline, without a doubt, for those who have not opened...", added the president of the business association, stating that this generates "a lot of uncertainty."
Safe corridors and PCR testing
"The Canary Islands have to row, they are rowing, but we have to add more fuel to the fire. We need to multiply the promotional forums, to make it known that we are in a safe destination, controlled for the moment in terms of the pandemic, and if it is necessary to establish that safe corridor between the United Kingdom and the Canary Islands, because our main strength is being an island territory, an archipelago. We always have it as a handicap due to inaccessibility, but in this case we have to use it as a strength," said Susana Pérez, who also believes that the UK announcement requires "immediate contact action at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism with the Canary Islands at the head." "We have to establish corridors," she insisted.
Likewise, Pérez stated that the tourism business association will insist on PCR testing for tourists. "We will fight to ensure that people who come to the Canary Islands have that PCR and also return with a negative PCR. We will give ourselves to tourism," she said. "We are gambling the summer and the winter, until the vaccine appears. And at the scientific level, important advances are being made, but the day-to-day counts," she added.
Similarly, the president of the Lanzarote Tourism Federation highlighted the importance of complying with health regulations, insisting that although the Canary Islands have not extended the mandatory use of masks, it is mandatory when distancing cannot be guaranteed. "If we are not an example to tourists, they will say that there is no obligation here. We all have to be responsible," added Susana Pérez.