Hotels in Catalonia take drastic measures due to water shortage Baltimore: US government approves emergency aid – clean-up work underway

Sun, sea and high temperatures attract countless tourists from all over the world to Spain every year, promising carefree holiday fun. But behind the scenes of its picturesque beaches and historic towns, the Catalonia region is facing a serious crisis: water shortages.

Drought and drought have been ravaging the region for three years, while reservoirs are slowly but surely drying up and drinking water is becoming a rare commodity. Barcelona, ​​as one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations, is particularly affected by the ongoing drought. The Catalan government calls for water conservation. The situation not only affects daily life, but also tourism. Hotels are now taking drastic measures.

Spain: Holidays in Catalonia are also characterized by a lack of water

Posters in Barcelona call for water conservation. “Drought! Help save water,” it says. Or: “Save water! It will no longer fall from the sky!”

The situation is serious. The Pantá de Sau reservoir, which once provided Barcelona with drinking water, is now almost dry, reports the German “tagesschau”. The dam, once proudly erected, is now dry, revealing the remains of an old church and other buildings. Actually, only the church tower should rise above the water in the reservoir. Far from the water you can see the abandoned water sports club, on what was once the coast. Dark symbols of the current crisis.

The Catalan government has long declared a drought crisis and is taking major measures to reduce water consumption. Tourists are made aware of the precarious situation everywhere: at the airport, in the metro or in hotel rooms. Brochures are even distributed with tips on saving water.

Hotels in Catalonia are facing a lack of water and are taking action

Many hotels now have no plugs in the bathtubs to control guests’ water consumption. Other measures are also being taken, such as asking people to brush their teeth with a cup of water or to use the water-saving button when flushing the toilet.

But it is not only the tourism sector that is suffering from the ongoing drought. Catalan agriculture must also accept enormous limitations. Trees and flowers may no longer be watered with drinking water. Fountains were turned off.

Hotels in Catalonia face a major challenge, especially in view of the upcoming holidays. Some have already responded and are investing in desalination plants to continue making their pools available. In Lloret de Mar, for example, hoteliers bought a desalination plant for 1.5 million euros to supply the swimming pools.

Holiday in Catalonia: guests must take restrictions into account

Enric Dotras, head of the hotel association, emphasizes the urgency of this measure: “It is our only chance to keep swimming pools open as long as the drought emergency is in effect.” But not all hotels can offer this luxury. Some have already announced that they will keep their swimming pools and wellness areas closed during the Easter holidays.

The Spanish weather service does not explain why it is so dry. But the region around Barcelona has been lacking winds that bring clouds and moisture for three years. The desalination plants in the area run continuously to produce drinking water from seawater.

Environmentalists warn of the social and environmental consequences of the crisis. Dante Maschio of the organization “Aigua és Vida” draws attention to the rising water prices and the looming conflicts: “Citizens are paying for the crisis, while tourism escapes unscathed. This can lead to social conflicts.”

In view of upcoming major events such as the “America’s Cup”, the question arises about the availability of water for the increasing number of tourists.