The Legal Impacts of COVID-19 in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry

290 LEGAL IMPACTS OF COVID-19 IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY representative professional tourism associations attended the presentation: Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations (CEHAT), Business Confederation of Hospitality of Spain (CEHE), Spanish Federation of Camping in Spain (FEEC), Association for the Quality of Rural Tourism (ACTR), Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies (CEAV), Spanish Confederation of Bus Transport (CONFEBUS), National Association of Spas (ANBAL), Entrepreneurs of Night Leisure (Spain at Night), the National Association of Nautical Stations and National Association of Active Tourism Companies (ANETA), as well as the Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG). However, problems surfaced when the prices of this certification became known (between 100 € and 400 € depending on the type and size of the company), to which we must add the cost of the audit (between 400 € and 900 €). These prices have generated discontent in the sector because it represents an additional cost, at a time with little activity, leading to several autonomous communities having started certification processes in their territorial area (Andalucía, Catalonia, Castile and Leon, Galicia and others), based on ICTE documents. Undoubtedly, what is desirable is a homogeneous certification at the national level instead of regional certifications; but it can be further aggravated if the certifications of some sectors (hotels, restaurants, etc.) proliferate. If this happens, the tourist can end up confused and overwhelmed. A month earlier, Portugal had promoted an official label certifying that an establishment is “clean and safe” and could be obtained from 24 April at the National Business Registers. Establishments have to follow an internal operating protocol set by the Department of Health, and the certificate is free and is valid for one year. Likewise, it will be necessary for public tourism officials to change many of the management models that have served so far. For instance, they will have to implement sanitary protection and disinfection measures, as well as measures on access and time spent at beaches, museums and monuments; and, in general, in all public shows and recreational activities. In this context, Andalucía’s Government has established safety measures on beaches by Decree-Law 12/2020, of 11 May, obligating the existence of information elements, warning and beacon systems and a rescue service whenever required following this Decree.

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