Tour operators gear up for Costa del Sol hotel strike
Tour operators are putting contingency plans in place in light of strike threats by hotel staff on the Costa del Sol.
The action, being taken over a salary dispute, will affect the 12,000 people who work in hotels and tourism apartments in the province.
If an agreement is not reached, a series of one-day stoppages are planned for June 22-25, July 20-23, and August 1-6.
Unions are also planning demonstrations and meetings in tourism areas, particularly Marbella and Torremolinos.
Some tour operators are already putting together contingency plans but ABTA has advised agents that Spanish hoteliers are obliged to provide a minimum service.
The association said it was extremely unlikely that clients will have to be moved to another hotel or transported home, but said if a tour operator is unable to offer contracted services the provisions of the Package Travel Regulations will apply.
Members should contact the members information line on 0845 177 2282, or see www.abtamembers.org/strikes.shtml.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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