The Spanish capital has ordered tighter measures in an effort to combat overcrowding as the end-of-year holidays approach.
Authorities in Madrid have activated the “black level” alert, as the high number of visitors is causing congestion in both traffic and pedestrians. The situation can further deteriorate as more tourists to Spain are expected to come during the Christmas holidays.
Madrid is a popular destination for visitors as nearly nine million people visited the city in 2023, with the peak of visitors being recorded in June when a million visitors were recorded.
In fact, the whole country of Spain has risen in popularity, especially this year, with the number of tourists in October being 13.9 per cent more than in the previous year and the number of visits recorded in November surging by 9.3 per cent.
We are transforming the historical nature of our tourism. Spain continues to be a leader; the recovery of the sector is absolute and full, but we are diversifying and de-personalising the flows, which results in more sustainable tourism that’s less dependent on the high summer season.
Except for Madrid, the city of Seville has also introduced rules for travellers, which are directed to their attire and behavior.
The Minister of Tourism has also made some remarks regarding the matter, saying that the tourism sector is one of the main pushing factors for the country’s economy.
In an interview for Euronews, he said that Spain is increasingly creating jobs related to tourism, which provides employment for millions of people.
Spain continues to create jobs linked to tourism activities and does so in an increasingly robust way and always under the motto of quality, stability, and excellence.
Travel Tomorrow reports that the Spanish government will be launching drones to monitor footfall and crowd movement in the city and might order shutdowns of private and public transport in certain areas, as well as the whole place.
More than 1,200 municipal police and additional agents will be on standby to help regulate the crowds, allowing people to exit certain areas but not to enter.
Areas that are more likely to be affected include Preciados, El Carmen, the Plaza del Celenque, the Calle Alcala, Plaza de Cibeles, and the Gran Via.
Italians and Dutch are also considering certain types of limitations on travellers, especially regarding their tourist behaviour and monitor crowding.
