The Sevilla Congress & Convention Bureau (SCCB) has decided to launch a new product with which to make public that all the places they manage for events purpose are free of Covid-19. The ‘Covid-free Certificate’ serves to visualize the work carried out throughout these months with which each of the venues that are part of the organization have been thoroughly treated and disinfected, such as the Fibes or the theaters and auditoriums of La Cartuja, among others. This initiative aims to promote Congress Tourism to the city, a market that generates significant income for the Andalusian capital and that is growing and in an excellent position with respect to international tourism before the arrival of the virus.
Tourism is probably the sector where the pandemic has affected the most, the one that is suffering the worst consequences due to the health crisis. The data shows this, with the highest unemployment rates since the previous economic crisis of 2008, both in Spain and Andalusia. It is the engine of the country’s economy, since it contributes 12.5% to the national GDP. For this reason, the sector understands that any measure that helps to generate confidence and tranquility in travelers is always welcome, as long as the requirements demanded by the authorities are met. It is here where this ‘Covid-free Certificate’ comes into play in order to communicate all the efforts that have been made from the SCCB (made up of the City Council, the Provincial Council, the Andalusian Government, the Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Seville) to guarantee the holding of events and meetings in healthy spaces fully prepared and equipped, which in turn have been previously treated efficiently.
With this measure, defined within the Plan8_Sevilla and in cooperation with the Garantía Cámara certifying authority, it is intended to reactivate the activity in the MICE section (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) and, ultimately, promote tourism in Seville. Because of all this, it is imperative to start by reducing the uncertainty and fear of infection that future visitors may feel when traveling and meeting in the city.
The airport will receive international traffic in this phase 1 de-escalation
The Government has reacted to the request of the Andalusian Government and the Seville City Council to include the San Pablo airport in the list of those that will be able to manage foreign traffic throughout phase 1 of the Covid-19 de-escalation. The arguments put forward by the Board (Government of Andalusia) and the City Council have convinced the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, so next week it will increase the number of airports authorized for international travel with the one of the Seville.
Screen in airport
The airport infrastructures meet the European Commission requirements regarding the passenger flows, as well as with the sanitary equipment in the terminal and a network of hospitals in the city enough to cover possible emergencies. The Airbus factory and Ryanair aircraft maintenance centers will also benefit from this important decision for the sector. The central administration took them into account to take that measure.
San Pablo Airport will thus join Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Málaga-Costa del Sol, Gran Canaria and Palma de Mallorca airports, becoming the sixth airport in the country in terms of flights to or from international destinations.
