Costa Brava tourism hit by cancelations after rise in Covid cases

The fifth wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Catalonia is having a big impact on the holiday rental sector in the Costa Brava.

As cases have skyrocketed over the past few weeks so too have cancelations for accommodation on the Girona coastline, which relies heavily on foreign tourism.

"On the Costa Brava we are suffering. It seemed like the summer was looking good, but right now it's difficult," laments Joan Company, head of the Catalan branch of COAPI, an association of real estate agents.

The exponential increase in new cases of Covid-19 has already caused cancellations and a halt in new bookings and the situation is predicted to get worse since the European Union has recommended against travel to Catalonia.

The housing market in Girona is heavily reliant on second homes. In recent years, 25% of all purchases have been by non-Spanish nationals, a situation that has been "severely affected" by the mobility restrictions caused by the pandemic, although Company says the top end of the market has been less affected.

In any case, as well as impacting on holiday rentals, uncertainty around Covid is also causing many foreigners to postpone decisions on purchasing in the region.

The Costa Brava market is hoping to compensate for the loss of some foreign tourists with local visitors, opting for a 'staycation'.