Spain is going to allow cruise ships to dock in its ports from June 7, 2021, the transport ministry revealed on Saturday, May 29, hoping to salvage the country's battered tourism sector in time for the summer season.
Spain's maritime authorities have approved the ports reopening due to falling COVID incidence rates and an increase in vaccinations. The country banned cruise liners from docking in June 2020 as the pandemic ripped through Europe.
On Saturday, the transport ministry tweeted that shipping companies would "have to comply with measures established by the health ministry ... to guarantee total security, both for cruise passengers and for the cities where they land".
It added that before the pandemic, the country was the 2nd most popular destination for international voyages in Europe.
Spain was also the world's 2nd most visited country before the crisis, as well as one of the worst-hit European nations, recording 79,000+ coronavirus deaths and 3,7 million cases. Foreign tourism plunged 80% in 2020 as restrictions brought the industry to a standstill.
With infection rates now falling and vaccinations progressing, Spain is looking towards reopening the vital tourism industry this summer.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently announced the country would allow people from anywhere to enter from June 7, provided they were vaccinated.