Holiday homes across Lleida province are bracing for severe financial losses if public schools cancel excursions and residential trips for the upcoming academic year. This potential measure, part of ongoing disputes between the Catalan government and public school workers, could have an impact similar to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which led to job losses and millions in lost revenue, according to operators.
Jaume Graus, director of La Manreana farm school in Juneda, said that more than half of their bookings have already been lost. "Schools used to book year by year, but they are no longer doing so," Graus explained. He believes the problem will worsen if most schools and institutes support planned strikes at the end of the current academic year.
"Between March and June, we make 70% of our turnover," Graus said. "If they go on strike, activities will have to be suspended, and if these cannot be rescheduled, we will have to return advance payments." Graus employs eighteen staff.
Operators Consider Closures
Inda Dalmau, who runs Cal Gort in La Pobla de Cérvoles with her son, expressed similar concerns. "We are very worried because our fixed costs do not change," she said, adding that after nearly 50 years in the sector, they are even considering closing.
María Jesús Novau from the Santa Maria de Meià holiday home confirmed that four schools have already cancelled educational leisure activities for 2027. She stated that if this trend continues, she would have to dismiss the activity monitors, all of whom are 'fixed-term intermittent' employees.
Despite their concerns, all three business owners said they understand the teachers' demands. "I don't think this is the way to do it," Graus commented, adding that "once again, we are the bargaining chip."
Tourism in Lleida
Meanwhile, tourists began arriving in the Lleida Pyrenees yesterday for the May Day long weekend. The weather was relatively stable in major tourist destinations, although there were some showers in Alta Ribagorça and Val d'Aran, and lower temperatures. Forecasts for the rest of the weekend indicate more rain, especially in the afternoons.
In Tàrrega, the Urgell Regional Council launched a new series of guided tours in various towns across the region. This initiative is part of the Year of Cultural Tourism in Catalonia. Around 50 people explored different parts of Tàrrega, the capital of Urgell, with local guide Eli Rius. She provided insights into the city's historical evolution, using old photographs to compare the past and present. The tour started at Plaça del Carme, passed by the train station, Carrer de Santa Anna, the Palau dels Marquesos de la Floresta on Carrer del Carme, and Plaça Major and Sant Antoni. The guided visit ended with a cake tasting.
