The tourism sector, concerned about the possible resurgence of the war in Ukraine

The sector expects this winter season to be "good" in the Canary Islands, although the figures for 2019 will not be reached. / C7

The businessmen and the counselor fear that the military mobilization announced by Putin "delays" the reservation of vacations for this winter "waiting to see what happens"

The tourism sector in the Canary Islands faces the winter season that will start next November with very good expectations.

The good progress of the summer together with the fact that reserves are evolving positively and the high air connectivity forecast for winter (31% higher than that of 2019), invites the sector to be
optimistic within caution due to the current situation, war, inflation, rising interest rates and gas deficit in Europe this winter.

In this sense, the latest moves by Russian President Vladimir Putin to call up 300,000 reservists for war are worrying. “We are concerned, although we cannot assess what new consequences Putin’s announcement and threats will have, but just by doing so, it has generated fear and uncertainty in Europeans, especially in countries close to the conflict,” indicates the statement.
Minister of Tourism, Yaiza Castillawho believes that the announcement will delay in "many cases" the reservation of vacations "waiting to see what happens."

The president of the
Federation of Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurs (FEHT) of Las Palmas, José María Mañaricuaassures that this winter "will be good" in the Canary Islands although, in his opinion, the figures will not reach pre-Covid levels due to the current situation and taking into account that so far this year foreign tourism is still 14% below 2019.

In this context, Mañaricua fears that the worsening of the war in Ukraine will cause a greater recession in Europe than expected for the coming months and
cut family income and therefore, their willingness to travel. “If the war continues over time, energy costs will be high for longer and it will affect family income and therefore the ability to travel. That's for sure," says Mañaricua.

As he explains, the tourism that arrives in the Canary Islands in winter is of upper middle age, the so-called seniors, and they are going to be affected by the war and higher prices, so
this winter the 2019 figures will not be reached. “The Germans are 20% below 2019, the Swedes 54% and the Norwegians 45%. This year we are not going to have the same tourists as before the pandemic and if the war gets worse the numbers will be even lower », he indicates.

Mañaricua indicates that if Russia cuts the gas, it is being considered that German companies will have to stop part of the production this winter, which will force the German government to pay part of the salaries.

"We have always said when he asks us about the short or medium term forecasts that we must bear in mind the consequences of this conflict since although the planned air seats are high, this may vary or that these planes come without the desired occupation," he indicates. the Minister of Tourism, Yaiza Castilla.

The
air connectivity for the winter season it is 31% higher than 2019, according to data handled by the Ministry of Tourism. 7.1 million seats are expected with the winter, which is 1.7 more than in 2019. With Germany the increase is 31.7%, in 423,364 seats.

«From Tourism we continue working to take advantage of any
window of opportunitythat it opens up to us to attract tourists by asserting our geographical position away from the conflict”, indicates the counselor.