Extreme summer heat could bring an end to outdoor dining in Spain

Spain’s hot summers are precisely why the country has long been a go-to holiday destination, but with extreme heat morphing from a sporadic occurrence to an annual reality, the impact it has on the travel industry is becoming ever more evident. 

And we aren’t just talking about changes in trends – such as the rise in ‘coolcations’ – but also how it affects local businesses and people in popular destinations. 

Back in 2023, workers at Athens’s famous Acropolis went on strike to protest against working during extremely hot weather, and now, it’s been announced that new rules could change how hospitality venues use their alfresco areas in Spain. 

Why? Well, because unions FeSMC UGT and CCOO Servicios have just reached an agreement with two employer groups, Hostelería de España and CEHAT, to update the national labour framework which affects people who work in hospitality. 

Recommended: The best things to do in Spain, according to Time Out. 

The goal is to bring in ‘workplace rules closer to the reality of modern Spain’, according to Euroweekly, and in practice, this means more robust protections to ensure employees aren’t subject to difficult working conditions, such as during dangerously hot weather. 

Oh, and it isn’t just heat – hospitality businesses are now expected to have contingency plans in place for flooding, heavy snow, and other extreme weather. 

So, if an official alert is issued in Spain – such as from AEMET, the country’s national meteorological agency – for extremely hot conditions, businesses will be responsible for reducing hours, temporarily closing their terraces, or changing shift patterns.

However, to avoid all-out closure, bars and restaurants might instead opt to open their terraces earlier in the day, install coverings to create shade, or even add fans or misting devices to outdoor areas. We’ll have to wait and see how the rules are implemented – stay tuned. 

Did you see that this popular holiday island has implemented a new rule to improve the tourist experience?

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