Hotels in the Balearic islands are preparing to re-open for a later summer season between July and October.
But local reports suggest that less than half of properties will open due to reduced demand for post-coronavirus international travel despite the gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions across Europe.
Gabriel Llobera, president of the Balearic Hotel Chain Association, said there would be an acceleration of the application of health protocols.
“The aim is to recover a major part of the business, but we understand that this will be difficult,” he told the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
“However, the Balearics is a safe destination and we are maintaining Covid-19 statistics on a par with central European countries.”
The association believes that only around 40% of properties will open compared with last summer.
“The more hotels which open, the better it is for employment and for all the productive sectors,” Llobera said.
“We have had months without revenue, so there is a need to reactivate businesses for the good of the economy of Majorca and the other islands.”
Llobera, who is vice-president of Garden Hotels, added that his chain is applying protocols for all aspects of service as well as for restaurants that the company manages in Majorca.
“We are meeting the objectives and are ready to welcome customers when they arrive,” he added.
The Spanish hotel company, which operates 99 properties in 19 countries and is part of Tui Group, has produced 17 protocols in association with specialist health and safety consultancy firm Preverisk.
