Some 82% of the companies (235 out of 284) receiving the payments, which range from 1,000 euros to 8,000 euros, have fewer than 50 workers.

In terms of business activities: 48% of the funds are for accommodation services in hotels, while hotels, hostels, pensions, inns and other tourist establishments account for 15%. Some 23% of funds are for travel agencies, 8% for companies offering shows and entertainment, dance halls and discos, and 45 for services organising congresses, meetings and similar events.

By district, L’Eixample is the area with the most companies receiving subsidies (95), followed by Ciutat Vella (42) and Sarrià – Sant Gervasi (41).

Reactivating the economy

This package of funding comes in addition to other measures for the tourism sector, such as the creation of the Barcelona MICE Destination Support Programme, with three million euros in funding from the City Council for it to attract and keep congresses and events in the city. Presented at the beginning of December, this programme opens up new ways of supporting strategic sectors for Barcelona which include others such as congresses, conventions, incentives and exhibitions.

The overall budget deployed by the Municipal Economic Response Coordination centre (CECORE) was 87 million euros for 2021. On top of the direct financial aid for the sectors hit hardest by Covid-19 in 2021, resources will also be allocated to improving employment, the promotion of the economy and revitalisation of consumption.

From this overall amount for the Barcelona Economic Recovery Plan, 45 million euros has been used for grants and subsidies through calls such as this specific one for leisure and tourism and the Reactivem funds, offering two lines of subsidies: one with funds for establishments in the local economy and another for investments in economic activity, commerce, services, leisure and tourist accommodation.