PARTY'S OVER Thousands of Brits cancel Benidorm holidays due to new Spain rules

[Derek]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/17520688/benidorm-holidays-cancelled-spain-new-rules/

[Spurs]

Another example of the Spanish law makers not understanding the implications of what they are doing . Half term could have been the start of the recovery for Spanish hotels bars and restaurants. Instead the families with kids are off to Turkey.

They have already lost the over winter snow birds who often came to the same hotel for 4 to 5 months every winter but because of Spain implementing the Schengen Agreement they have gone to Bulgaria .

The lawmakers really need to start looking at the implications of their laws and remove the ones that make no sense. They are crippling their own main source of money for no sensible reason . I was in Spain later part of last year it’s deserted

[Derek]

Well said. It does appear that the lefty government of Spain do not realise that money does not grow on trees. People will say up you and go elsewhere for sure.

Am I glad I got out while the going was good (left it a bit late but not as late as some). Yes I miss the holidays but not the rules and stressed associated with a week in Spain. The trouble is that both our Government and the Spanish one are changing the rules of the game far too frequently which does not allow for anyone planning a holiday that can't afford to take the risk.

Even without the Covid rules the cost of living will deter many Brits from travelling as often as they have done in the past.

The UK owned bars must be really suffering. Even in the good times there seemed more bars than potential customers. I have never liked to witness someone's dream turn sour but this must be happening by the day.

Derek

[wilson]

The February 1st deadline was well known for the over 12s entry into Spain. Can’t comment on other areas in England but where we are the rollout started last year with second jabs in January so if you didn’t take that opportunity then it’s now too late for Feb half term. Instead of reading the Sun newspaper I would recommend getting real time updates from the FCO . Gov site lots of faff but some relevant information.

[kevinb]

I get daily updates from the UK.GOV website re traveling to Spain,very useful. I'm relatively relaxed re doing all the forms for a visit to GA now, was anxiety ridden the first time I did it. We've got a printer in our house now in GA and a cheap laptop, I take the laptop to a bar hook into their WiFi fill in the UK.GOV locator form download it and then print the form out back at our house ( we don't have broadband) I can do the same with the NHS Vaccination Certificate, I don't rely on showing downloaded forms on phones although we have them as a back up, we even have each others docs on both forms also print out everything in duplicate and keep it separate. Must be mad.

[Aficionado]

I get daily updates from the UK.GOV website re traveling to Spain,very useful. I'm relatively relaxed re doing all the forms for a visit to GA now, was anxiety ridden the first time I did it. We've got a printer in our house now in GA and a cheap laptop, I take the laptop to a bar hook into their WiFi fill in the UK.GOV locator form download it and then print the form out back at our house ( we don't have broadband) I can do the same with the NHS Vaccination Certificate, I don't rely on showing downloaded forms on phones although we have them as a back up, we even have each others docs on both forms also print out everything in duplicate and keep it separate. Must be mad.

Not mad at all  , exactly as I would do it, before Covid I always travelled with a duplicate set of all documents, just in case, never put reliance on a phone working, could easily let you down at the wrong moment.

[wilson]

I totally agree Kevin a belt and braces approach reduces stress and saves any surprises at the airport, some like pushing there luck and that’s fine, leave it with them.

[chris and jackie]

But whilst other countries are relaxing rules, Spain are sticking to fully vaccinated for any over 12s, the tourist industry particularly in canaries has suffered massive cancellations from British tourists this month & are making their anger known to all politicians.

unless Spain relax rules then Easter will also be a disaster as lots of British don’t want to vaccinate children. We are all fully vaccinated so not a problem for us but despair for all the bars etc & don’t want them to close

[chris and jackie]

Spain has backed down & removing requirements for children to be vaccinated, just negative tests now

[Spurs]

Great move backing down but unfortunately it’s too late to save half term holiday

[NickiH]

Yes too late for this holiday as some children starting half term today.

[Spurs]

The big problem is that although they are allowed into Spain under the current valencian govt rules they cant go in a restaurant, bar or even hotel restaurant as they won’t have a covid passport .

Think they need to get their ducks in line quickly, you couldn’t make this up

[kevinb]

Have only been asked for our covid passports by a couple of bars, reckon you can find a few places that turn a blind eye.

[Alicante Holiday Villas]

The showing of Covid Passports will be withdrawn from March 1st in the Valencian Community

[chris and jackie]

Hopefully coming out soon, can anyone confirm if masks still required for in shops etc & do we need on entering bars etc?
Also the Spanish locator, is this done just before arrival or can it be done well in advance?