In Torremolinos, which is beloved by the Dutch, entrepreneurs have their hands in their hair. Frans Damen owns a grand café in the seaside resort: “We are faced with double problems here: we are not allowed to open and if we are allowed to open we have no customers. Our café is called ‘De Brabander’, which is not attended by Spaniards.”
There are approximately 45 Dutch catering entrepreneurs in Torremolinos. “The Dutch supermarket here has become our meeting point,” he says. “One thing is clear to all of us: if the tourists from the Netherlands don’t come this year, we have a big problem. Torremolinos cannot do without them, just as Mallorca cannot do without the Germans. Even the Spaniards here know that.”
Test balloons
Italy is also currently targeting holidaymakers from its own country. There is absolutely no clarity from the government as to when campsites and hotels can open again. “Entrepreneurs come up with ideas themselves, they are all test balloons,” says correspondent Marghadi. “Phase 2 of the easing of the lockdown has only just begun, so there is still a lot of discussion about how Italy should deal with the probably much smaller flow of tourists.”
France will make decisions about the summer holidays at the end of May. While campsites and industry organizations are working hard on hygiene protocols, some plans are shining through. “Politicians discourage long-term vacations and mainly focus on domestic tourism,” says NOS correspondent Frank Renout.
The regional tourism agency in popular Normandy is already taking an advance and asking tourists to stay away. “See you soon, but not too soon!”, Says the agency’s site. “The health of all of us is most important, so stay home.”
For everyone who cannot come now but still wants some Norman ambiance, a 100 percent Norman playlist has been composed with 47 chansons. Everything to soften the inevitable blow that follows for the Normandy enthusiast.
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