The Spanish capital has introduced the so-called black measure due to the number of visitors arriving in the city during the Christmas period, writes EuroNews.
The aim of the measure is to ensure safety and mobility in the city and is implemented only when public spaces and transport are exceptionally overcrowded.
Police use drones to monitor the most congested streets from the air. When the influx of people reaches its maximum, the streets are closed, allowing pedestrians to leave the area but not to enter.
During the holidays, around 450 municipal police officers and up to 850 additional officers monitor the situation. The special measures are expected to affect both public and private transport.
Which neighborhoods in Madrid could be affected by the closures?
Although all of Madrid is largely affected, the critical points for the Madrid Region are Preciados and El Carmen streets, Plaza del Celenque, part of Calle Alcalá near Plaza de Cibeles and Gran Vía.
The number of tourists in Spain has increased throughout the year, not just in December.
In the first 10 months of 2022, 74.7 million tourists went on holiday in Spain, which is 18.2% more than in the same period last year.
In October, which is not a typical tourist month, 8.17 million foreign tourists visited the country. This is 13.9% more than in October 2022.
Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Russia and the Nordic countries contributed the most to the growth of international tourism.
“We are changing the historical nature of our tourism,” said Jordi Hereu, Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism. “Spain continues to be in a leadership position, the recovery of the sector is absolute and complete.”
Each tourist arriving in the country spent on average 1,260 euros in the month of October, or almost 10% more than in October 2019. Daily expenses were also increasing: in the month of October each tourist spent 185 euros per day, or 15% more than 2019.
The main reason for the increase in tourism spending is the increase in prices. In May 2023 prices were 15% higher than in 2019.
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2023-12-11 09:25:00
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