The president of the Diputación de Córdoba, Salvador Fuentes, has proposed the establishment of an air bridge between Córdoba and Madrid to mitigate the economic repercussions of a recent rail disruption. This suggestion comes in the wake of an accident that has halted train services between the two cities.
During a working meeting held at the headquarters of the Confederación de Empresarios de Córdoba (CECO), Fuentes, along with key figures including CECO president Antonio Díaz, Córdoba's mayor José María Bellido, and Adolfo Molina, the government delegate for the Junta de Andalucía, discussed the consequences of the interruption and potential actions to minimise its impact on the tourism sector.
Fuentes expressed concern over the recurring nature of such incidents, recalling a similar disruption earlier in the year due to an accident in Adamuz. He emphasised that the primary concern should be the victims of these accidents, while also highlighting the urgent need to address the economic fallout. "This cannot happen twice in one year," he stated.
The president noted that the reputation of the rail service, particularly the high-speed AVE service, has suffered significantly, which could deter tourists. "The reputational image of Córdoba and Spain with the AVE is at an all-time low. This is absolutely inconceivable," he remarked.
Fuentes pointed out that the tourism sector's concerns extend beyond the immediate Christmas campaign, indicating that there are fears of a decline in bookings in the medium term. He mentioned a recent videoconference with Manuel Alejandro Lara León, the Secretary General of Tourism for the Junta de Andalucía, during the World Travel Market in London, where the potential impact of the rail disruption on tourist reservations was discussed.
"We are already receiving concerning news from London regarding the possible drop in bookings across Andalucía," Fuentes said, noting that the tourism sector in Córdoba had begun to show signs of recovery in September, making this latest disruption a significant setback.
In response to the situation, Fuentes reiterated his call for an air bridge between Madrid and Córdoba to restore connectivity and prevent further damage to the tourism industry. He also advocated for enhanced road connections to nearby airports in Sevilla and Málaga to facilitate visitor access to Córdoba.
Additionally, he proposed launching a promotional campaign to encourage tourism in Córdoba and the province during the upcoming Christmas season, aimed at supporting the sector and mitigating the economic impact of the rail disruption.
Fuentes stressed the importance of collaboration among various administrations and public-private partnerships to address the needs of the tourism sector, which plays a vital role in generating employment and wealth in the province. He concluded by emphasising the necessity of this working group to swiftly implement "useful, effective, and efficient" measures to alleviate the economic consequences of the current situation. "First and foremost, we must listen to the sector," he asserted, advocating for solutions that arise from the needs and proposals of tourism entrepreneurs.
