Spain ‘desperate’ to bring back British tourists this summer

Tourism minister spurred on by fast roll-out of vaccinations in the UK

Could Ibiza be on the green list this summer? (Getty Images)

Spain is “desperate” to get British tourists back this summer, its tourism minister has said.

Fernando Valdes told Sky News this morning that the European nation was cheered by the fast vaccination roll-out in the UK, and would welcome British visitors with open arms.

International travel from the UK has been given a restart date of 17 May, subject to a traffic light system. Countries rated as “green” would face the lightest restrictions.

The green list is due to be revealed in “early May”, although MPs have urged the government to release the list for 1 May, to allow travel firms time to schedule trips.

Mr Valdes had previously said that he hoped Spain could welcome back British visitors this summer.

Tourism-dependent Spain generates 12 per cent of GDP from the industry and 13 per cent of jobs, according to the think-tank Funcas.

Mr Valdes said this morning: “I think we will be ready here in Spain. We also think that the vaccination scheme in the UK is going pretty well, so hopefully we’ll be seeing this summer the restart of holidays.”

He added that vaccination certificates, which would prove holidaymakers have either been inoculated or show a negative Covid test result, are “going to help us”.

This morning The Independent reported that the government is planning “express” vaccine certificates, in order for them to be ready for holidaymakers from 17 May.