The drought in Spain this summer is generating concerns about its impact on tourism. With a summer season forecasted to be one of the busiest in terms of tourism, the increase in water consumption by visitors could further worsen the water scarcity. The Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism, Héctor Gómez, predicts that Spain will receive between 52.3 and 54.8 million foreign tourists during the summer months, surpassing the highest figure recorded in 2019. However, this influx of tourists will exert additional pressure on water levels in reservoirs, which are currently only at 43 percent of their national capacity.
The regions most affected by the drought at the moment are Andalucia, Murcia, and Cataluña, all significant tourist destinations. Some basins, such as the Guadalquivir and Guadalete-Barbate, have depleted their water reserves to 24.1% and 24.4% respectively. Additionally, internal reservoirs in Cataluña are at 27.6% of their capacity. These figures demonstrate the severity of the drought and how it can directly impact tourist areas.
Tourism exacerbates water consumption in these areas. Studies have shown that tourists use significant amounts of additional water during their stay. For example, in the Costa del Sol, it is estimated that a tourist can consume between 300 and 800 liters of water per day. This raises concerns about long-term domestic water supply, especially considering climate change and population growth.
The hotel sector is particularly prominent in terms of water consumption. On average, tourists in hotels use around 200 liters of water per person per day, more than the average resident. This indicates higher water wastage in hotels, especially in five-star establishments. The lack of water could result in cancellations or a lack of reservations by tourists, posing a risk to the tourism industry.
Water restrictions have already been implemented in some regions, such as Catalonia, where filling private pools has been prohibited, although certain exceptions are allowed for public health reasons. In Andalusia, restrictions on refilling both private and public pools have also been put in place. Additionally, visitors may notice drier parks and gardens, fewer open fountains, and less clean streets due to water shortage for cleaning purposes.
Hoteliers have implemented measures to reduce water waste, such as closed-loop hot water systems and campaigns to encourage guests not to wash towels daily. However, greater infrastructure and awareness are needed to address water supply in tourism more effectively.
Experts agree that measures should be taken and tourists should be made aware of the situation before their arrival. The sustainability of mass tourism is being questioned, and careful planning by governments is required to regulate the number of visitors and utilize resources efficiently. Collaboration between hotels, restaurants, and construction firms is crucial to adapt to the situation and ensure responsible water usage in the tourism sector.
More info: Thelocal.es
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