The Spanish Secretary of State for TourismFernando Valdés, said today that he is still too early to know the full impact that the war in Ukraine could have on the sector, and that the effect will depend on the intensity and duration of the conflict. For now, he said, the forecast for Easter is still “particularly positive”.

Valdés explained that Spain is do not one of the countries that Russian tourists have traditionally visited in large numbers.

“In general, it’s not a type of tourism that will affect us in high season; it was traditionally low season. We are already working to replace it with other traditional markets, with European markets knowing that we are lifting Covid restrictions and pushing Spanish destinations,” he stressed.

That said, the Secretary of State for Tourism warned that if the conflict should hanging outprices will continue to rise and impact on fuel and, in particular, the airlines, should be cause for concern.

“It is true that many of them have fuel coverage and at the moment this effect does not affect ticket pricesbut there will come a time when, if the conflict and its effects spread, it could affect the prices of air tickets, and Spain is 82% dependent on these airlines to bring in tourists,” he said. he admitted.

He also acknowledged that the length of the war could affect disposable income, although he said it would have to be seen whether or not this would have an impact in the current year due to pent-up demand in commodity markets. national and international trips.

After insisting there was still no “clear effect” of the war on the tourism sector, he said forecasts for Easter “continues to be very positive”because of the softening of the panoramic