In the plenary session Benidorm will address joining the request for a state protection plan for the tourism sector

The plenary session of Benidorm City Council will address next Monday, April 27, joining the request for a state protection plan for the tourism sector, in line with the claim transferred by Hosbec to the Government of Spain. The mayor, Toni Pérez, has reported that "as I transferred to the political groups yesterday, tomorrow we will hold a Board of Spokespersons, hoping that the opposition can enrich the proposal that yesterday was ruled by the Information Commission."

Toni Pérez has stressed that “the tourism industry faces a few tough months until the unprecedented crisis situation caused by Covid 19 reverses. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt concrete measures that allow them to survive this situation, saving with it the productive fabric and employment ”.

The mayor has delved into that "Benidorm City Council cannot only not remain on the sidelines of this issue, but must be an active part and add its voice to the sector in those claims aimed at preserving our main industry and with it the wealth and the well-being it generates ”.

As you have recalled, the hospitality association Hosbec has called on the Government of Spain to establish a "Special Protection System for the Tourism Sector" that ensures the survival of an industry that is behind the creation and maintenance of up to 2, 8 million jobs throughout Spain and which generates 14% of the national GDP, with an annual contribution to the country's economy that exceeds 175,000 million euros ”.

"Unfortunately," he added, "the Covid19 crisis has led Tourism to the worst known situation since its birth, and the recovery can be long since every day more doubts arise about whether tourism activity can be compatible with the virus." In fact, "the sector estimates that there will be a period of continuous productive drought that can last between 6 and 12 months depending on the tourist product and the destination."

Faced with this situation, Toni Pérez stressed that "it is essential that tourism companies and workers, a sector so strategic and vital for the economy and the well-being of citizens, have a special protection system that allows them to survive that period of productive drought in order to continue generating wealth and jobs in the future ”.

In the employers' opinion, said Special Protection Plan must be based "on five fundamental measures" of a labor, financial, fiscal, health and communication nature. " Among the measures proposed by Hosbec are the extension of ERTES by Force Majeure for up to 12 months, with a reduction in company fees to Social Security, incorporating reinforced protection for discontinuous permanent workers. From a financial point of view, a grace period of 12 months is also proposed for mortgage loans and other financial instruments; as well as exemption from taxes of Documented Legal Acts and notarial fees to all the novations motivated by Covid 19, and measures to promote the negotiation of the conditions of tourist business leases.

A plan of exemptions, discounts and / or deferrals of taxes and payments on account for 12 months is also claimed; and the legal suspension of the activity of generalized tourist accommodation beyond the state of alarm, thus guaranteeing health security and avoiding episodes of contagion. This suspension may admit exceptions for products and territories in which a hotel and tourist activity can be guaranteed in safe conditions.

Finally, this Special Protection System must include promotional and advertising measures, in which it is remembered "the closure is for the safety of tourists and the environment" and that "during this closure, work is done to ensure that the return is a unforgetable experience".

The mayor has announced that "not implementing a Plan of this nature represents serious risks such as the destruction of the productive fabric and leaving our greatest asset in the hands of foreign investment funds at a price of balance." "We have to protect companies and workers in the sector," he said in depth, "and we must avoid destroying our industry before we have to talk about a subsequent reconstruction."