Spain’s tourism sector risks losing more than 40 billion euros during this summer, due to the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).

The Mediterranean country which last year welcomed 83.7 million international tourists, continues its fight to seek innovative ways to attract tourists during this summer, but the impact of the virus reflects on the streets and half-empty beaches, as well, SchengenVisaInfo.com ^[1]reports.

On Tuesday this week, the Health Ministry reported the most significant daily spike in new Coronavirus cases, in months. According to the Ministry’s report, cases of  Coronavirus infection reached 2,615 on Thursday, double the numbers compared to Wednesday.

Last week, 10,220 persons in Spain tested positive for the COVID-19, while the town of Totana, Murcia has been shut after 55 persons were infected at a pub.

Totana banned the entry for all persons, while a total of 32,000 residents were ordered not to leave out the town until the authorities test all 300 persons that were at a bar during the outbreak.

2019’s data show that nearly 47 per cent of international tourism revenue for the whole year was recorded between June and September  (92 billion euros spent in 2019).

According to the Frontur and Egattur summaries by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), in the period between June and September 2019, 37.7 million international tourists visited Spain and they spent 43.147 million euros (43 billion euros).

However,  the lockdown period had had a significant impact on the tourism sector. It is estimated that the industry lost at least 30 billion euros during the COVID lockdown period.

During March, there were 10.6 million arrivals when lockdown began, while due to the imposed restrictions and border closure there were no tourists at all until June 21,  which led to a loss of 20 million tourists.

Due to the current Coronavirus situation in Spain, the tourism sector could lose more than 40 billion euros.

According to the president of Exceltur, and CEO of Meliá Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer, the hotel sector estimates that hotel occupancy will only be around 30 per cent during this year. He stressed that this type of accommodation is the option chosen by the majority (approximately 65 per cent) of foreigners who generally come to Spain on vacation.