La industria turística española bajo presión ante la sequía récord | Viajes

The tourism industry in Spain is under pressure to save water as the country grapples with a severe lack of rainfall. Catalonia, in particular, has experienced the driest period on record, with below-average rainfall over the past three years. The situation is dire in other popular tourist regions like Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands.

Critics are calling on the tourism sector to reduce its water consumption, especially since the industry is known for being water-intensive. Dante Maschio, a spokesperson for Catalan citizens’ association Aigua es Vida, has been advocating for better water management in the region. He believes that water-hungry industries, including tourism, should be forced to cut back on their usage during times of emergency.

Geologist Julio Barea from Greenpeace agrees, stating that tourists should also be subject to water-saving measures. Despite efforts by some hotels to conserve water by eliminating bathtubs and encouraging guests to reuse towels and linens, there is still room for improvement.

The current water shortage is exacerbated by inefficient infrastructure and mismanagement of resources. Cels Garcia, a geography professor, emphasizes the need for better planning and investment in desalination plants to replenish groundwater reserves. Catalan officials are now considering building new desalination plants to address the water crisis.

However, with the tourism industry accounting for a significant portion of Spain’s GDP, politicians are hesitant to impose strict water-saving measures on the sector. As the number of foreign holidaymakers continues to rise, reaching over 85 million in 2023, the pressure to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability becomes increasingly challenging.