AFP, Madrid :
The Catalan economy, one of the most dynamic among Spain’s regions, has stalled this autumn during the independence push by its leaders, though analysts aren’t yet sure about the long-term consequences.
Here is a breakdown of the economic fallout for Catalonia since the contested October 1 vote and the subsequent declaration of independence, which prompted Madrid to dismiss the regional government and call new elections for December 21.
The violent skirmishes between voters and police trying to halt the vote, and the huge demonstrations by both pro- and anti-independence factions, have prompted many visitors to steer clear of Catalonia, the most visited region of Spain.
The number of visitors dropped five percent in October after increasing during the previous eight months, even after the terror attack in Barcelona and nearby Cambrils in mid-August.
And tourist bookings at Barcelona hotels for the first quarter of 2018 are down about 10 percent from the year earlier.
Tourism generates about 12 percent of Catalonia’s GDP.
More than 400,000 people work in the tourism industry, where the traditional end-of-season spike in unemployment was “more accentuated” this year, according to the Pimec employers’ association.
Jobless numbers rose again in November, even as they declined in Madrid.
A study by the ESADE business school found that one-fourth of Catalan employers have scaled back hiring plans for next year, and nearly half — 46 percent-have frozen investment plans.
Catalonia in October compared with a stable reading for Spain as a whole.
The Catalan economy, one of the most dynamic among Spain’s regions, has stalled this autumn during the independence push by its leaders, though analysts aren’t yet sure about the long-term consequences.
Here is a breakdown of the economic fallout for Catalonia since the contested October 1 vote and the subsequent declaration of independence, which prompted Madrid to dismiss the regional government and call new elections for December 21.
The violent skirmishes between voters and police trying to halt the vote, and the huge demonstrations by both pro- and anti-independence factions, have prompted many visitors to steer clear of Catalonia, the most visited region of Spain.
The number of visitors dropped five percent in October after increasing during the previous eight months, even after the terror attack in Barcelona and nearby Cambrils in mid-August.
And tourist bookings at Barcelona hotels for the first quarter of 2018 are down about 10 percent from the year earlier.
Tourism generates about 12 percent of Catalonia’s GDP.
More than 400,000 people work in the tourism industry, where the traditional end-of-season spike in unemployment was “more accentuated” this year, according to the Pimec employers’ association.
Jobless numbers rose again in November, even as they declined in Madrid.
A study by the ESADE business school found that one-fourth of Catalan employers have scaled back hiring plans for next year, and nearly half — 46 percent-have frozen investment plans.
Catalonia in October compared with a stable reading for Spain as a whole.
