Tourists Invited To Rural Spain To Save Dying Villages

Tourists Invited To Rural Spain To Save Dying Villages.

President Pedro Sanchez launched an ambitious plan on Saturday, May 23, to save Spain’s dying villages. Instead of the traditional sand and sea holidays, foreign tourists are now invited to enjoy the charms of the Spanish countryside.

The €10 billion plan aims to preserve rural life in a nation where 42 per cent of villages are at risk of depopulation compared to the European Union average of 10 per cent.

“I would especially like to emphasise that (tourists) should enjoy the rich rural tourist attractions that our country has, one of the jewels in the crown,” Sanchez told a meeting in Madrid of mayors from rural towns.

From Monday, May 24, Spain opens up to tourists from outside the European Union deemed low-risk for coronavirus, notably Britain and Japan, who will not be required to show a negative test.

Spain will let people from anywhere in the world who are vaccinated against Covid-19 enter the country from June 7, hoping to kick-start a recovery in the devastated tourism sector. Improving digital connectivity for rural holiday companies is part of the plan, which also envisages expanding sustainable tourism.

The left-wing government plans to increase internet access in rural areas, improve transport routes, offer grants for young entrepreneurs and small businesses and launch a rural Erasmus educational scheme.

Sanchez said that Spain’s 47 million people occupy just 12.7 per cent of the land, compared to 67.8 per cent of the territory populated in France and 59.9 per cent of German territory. Many rural villages have an average density of less than 12 people per square kilometre, the government estimates.

The Euro Weekly News is running a campaign to help reunite Brits in Spain with their family and friends by capping the costs of PCR tests for travel. Please help us urge the government to cap costs at https://euroweeklynews.com/2021/04/16/ewn-champions-the-rights-of-brits-in-spain-to-see-loved-ones-again/