Tourism is the engine of Spain, accounting for 13% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generating 12% of total employment in our country. Spain also leads the world rankings of the most competitive countries in this regard. Despite this, according to the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Alberto Garzón, it is a "seasonal sector, precarious and with low added value", statements that have angered the sector, which asks it to rectify or resign.

The Tourism Board, which brings together 50 companies and professionals from the tourism sector, has regretted that "a Spanish minister speaks with such contempt for Spanish tourism."

These statements have been made by Garzón in the Health and Consumption committee this week in Congress, although recently, in another of his speeches, he also caused discomfort in the sector by discouraging Spaniards from booking their summer vacations.

" It is unacceptable that a person who occupies a position of relevance shows such ignorance and ignorance about the Spanish tourism sector, a leader at the international level and recognized reference to R&D applied to its field," said the president of the Tourism Board. , Juan Molas.

The Table has regretted that there is a part of the Executive that "has been repeatedly attacking, in one way or another, against tourism", despite the fact that relations between the sector and the minister of the sector, Reyes Maroto, are extraordinarily fluid. "

SECTOR EFFORTS

Since the crisis stemming from the pandemic began, both the tourism sector and the ministry led by Reyes Maroto have made efforts to try to make visible the importance that this activity has for the Spanish economy. In fact, yesterday it was applauded that the European Commission valued the weight it has when approving a plan of measures to gradually restart activity.

Spanish tourism also leads the world ranking of tourism competitiveness of the World Economic Forum. "In a critical situation such as this, the least opportune is for a public authority such as Minister Garzón to undermine the image of one of the main sectors that generate wealth, employment and stability in the country and, in addition, do so with statements that do not correspond with reality, "added Molas.

The demand for resignation also comes from the PP, whose Deputy Secretary of Communication, Pablo Montesinos, has demanded that "rectify and apologize for his attack on tourism", and in case of not doing so, he has summoned the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to that "put order in the cabinet."

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  • Spain
  • Alberto Garzón
  • GDP
  • Reyes Maroto

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