Nearly 9 million people have so far visited the city in 2023, with the peak of visitors being recorded in June when a million visitors were recorded (Photo: India Outbound/Varsha Singh)
According to a press statement by the city officials, authorities in Madrid have activated the ‘black level’ alert, as the high number of visitors is causing congestion in both traffic and pedestrians. Nearly 9 million people have so far visited the city in 2023, with the peak of visitors being recorded in June when a million visitors were recorded.
This situation can further deteriorate as more tourists are expected to come during the Christmas holidays, says the statement. Besides Madrid, Seville has also introduced rules for travellers, directed at their attire and behaviour.
The statement adds that the whole country of Spain has risen in popularity, especially this year, with the number of tourists in October being 13.9 pc more than in the previous year and the number of visits recorded in November surging by 9.3 pc.
Jordi Hereu
“We are transforming the historical nature of our tourism. Spain continues to be a leader, the recovery of the sector is absolute and full, but we are diversifying and de-personalising the flows, which results in more sustainable tourism that’s less dependent on the high summer season,” says Jordi Hereu, Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism.
The Minister of Tourism has also made some remarks regarding the matter, saying that the tourism sector is one of the main pushing factors for the country’s economy.
Héctor Gómez
“Spain continues to create jobs linked to tourism activities and does so in an increasingly robust way and always under the motto of quality, stability, and excellence,” says Héctor Gómez, Acting Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism.
According to reports, the Spanish government will be launching drones to monitor footfall and crowd movement in the city and might order shutdowns of private and public transport in certain areas, as well as the whole place. More than 1,200 municipal police and additional agents will be on standby to help regulate the crowds, allowing people to exit certain areas but not to enter.
The statement adds that areas that are more likely to be affected include Preciados, El Carmen, the Plaza del Celenque, the Calle Alcala, Plaza de Cibeles and the Gran Via.
The statement adds that Italian and Dutch governments are also considering certain types of limitations on travellers, especially regarding their tourist behaviour and monitor crowding.
