Travellers and tourists beware this year as the EU prepares to embark upon a massive raft of cuts and austerity drives, ushering in a possible ‘summer of discontent’ and causing travel chaos across the continent. To get to grips with EU’s massive financial crisis, individual countries are facing a series of massive spending cuts which will ultimately hit the public sector and services hard. Public sector strikes will inevitably follow such large reductions in department budgets, causing anarchy and trouble for millions of tourists and businesses throughout Europe.
The only silver lining of such measures will be felt within the private sector; individual transport and car hire firms may well receive a boost in business in the coming months due to rail and air strikes, but all in all it’s going to be a bumpy ride for anyone embarking upon a summer holiday this year. Already car rental firms are seeing a significant boost in sales due to proposed rail strikes in Greece, Italy and Spain. In the past few months rentals have also increased due to a number of cabin crew and air traffic control strikes across the continent.
Unfortunately, it looks like these occurrences will become more common as Europe’s austerity drive gets into full swing. In Spain, Madrid Metro workers have just finished a four day strike that caused chaos and gridlock for the nation’s capital. In Greece public outcry continues to grow apace, a number of rail strikes have already occurred and more are likely to follow. In Italy, ferries and airport workers are also due to go on strike as of today. All we need now is for the French to blockade Calais and the UK will be well and truly in trouble…
The sheer scope of the disruption is almost indescribable. Economists estimate that the loss to tourism could cost the continent billions. If you are intending on travelling on public transport this summer then be prepared to arrange alternative transportation arrangements, due to the strikes. Making new arrangements can also be problematic; car hire in Spain often sells out quickly due to the demand, holidaymakers are advised to keep up to date with the latest news and to book early if possible to avoid delays.
Recent Comments