The Generalitat will introduce the CO2 tax later this year

PERPIGNAN / CATALONIA / SPAIN:

The Town Hall of Perpignan has some time ago decreed that Catalan is the second official language in the city. The region around Perpignan, also known as Northern Catalonia, has been working closely with the areas around Girona for years and wants to expand its economic relations. This is also what Girona is aiming for and wants to become more involved in the French market, which is of interest to many companies. One thing is for sure: at the moment, the proportion of people who go to France to shop from the region here is increasing enormously. Many products from the field of building materials or fashion items are there on the one hand in a larger selection available and on the other often much cheaper. And those who know the huge supermarkets and industrial parks around Perpignan with their product diversity know what is missing (sometimes) in Catalonia.

ROSES / CATALONIA / SPAIN: The City Council of Roses wants a new regulation, which aims to regulate the use of real estate for tourist use and with which the provision of quality services should be ensured and adapted to the applicable regulations. The consistory will soon form your commission, which will be responsible for drafting the regulation, which is expected to be ready in early 2020.

The houses for tourist use are those that the owner offers third parties directly or indirectly against payment and for periods of at least 31 days. To regulate this service, the City Council of Roses is preparing the new decree, which contains all the information required for the licenses required for this activity in order to guarantee the customer a good service.

EMPURIABRAVA / CATALONIA / SPAIN: Aqualia has recently installed a new system in Empuriabrava that will significantly improve water quality.

The system used so far was disinfecting with liquid chlorine and was replaced by chlorine dioxide. The company explained that this is the system used in the food industry. It reduces odors and taste, minimizes the presence of chlorine and increases water quality.

It also has a stronger disinfecting capacity due to the presence of any kind of microorganisms. The cost of the change was taken over by the Town Hall in Castelló d'Empúries.

ROSES / CATALONIA / SPAIN: The ports of Palamós and Roses have received 56,700 passengers on the Costa Brava for the entire 2019 season, representing an 11% increase in passenger numbers. As far as the number of arrivals is concerned, 50 were carried out, four less than in the previous season. The two ports of the Costa Brava have received 10 cruise ships together, of which 70% are luxury ships. In terms of passenger origin, 80% came from the United Kingdom, 8% from North America and 3% from Germany. According to a study by the International Association of Cruise Lines, the estimated economic value of cruise activity in this area amounted to 4.1 million euros, according to which every passenger who disembarks spends an average of 62 euros. In addition, EUR 6 per passenger will be added to the cost of the vessel as port services. The results achieved during the 2019 cruise season were achieved with the loyalty of the companies, the acquisition of new ships for Palamós and Roses and the important task of international promotion that the various institutions are tackling with the Costa Brava Cruise Ports brand of the sector. The activity, however, contributes to the seasonalization of the tourism offer, dynamically fuels the ports, the municipalities and the tourist ...

EMPURIABRAVA / CATALONIA / SPAIN: The wind tunnel in Empuriabrava has developed into one of the most visited magnets in Empuriabrava, but also needs large amounts of electricity because of the many "airmen". At full speed, the turbines need more power than the football stadium of FC Barcelona, ​​the Camp Nou. Consumption is between 500 and 1,200 kilowatts per hour, making the wind tunnel one of the largest energy users in the town or even the entire region. One year ago, the whole system was changed and you now use 100% clean electricity, ie renewable energy. This makes the Empuriabrava wind tunnel one of the most effective in Europe in terms of construction, size and cooling system. Jordi Meseguer, director of the plant explained to the website "energias-renovables.com" that they had set themselves the goals of respecting the environment and that's why they wanted to reach a CO2 emission of 0 - and that was done. The more expensive electricity could be compensated by a slight increase in the rates for the jumpers (3-5%), but you can now enter the wind tunnel in Empuriabrava with a clear conscience. Jordi Meseguer said that consumers have the power to produce more green electricity. If everyone ordered "green electricity", electricity providers would be forced to create ...

FIGUERES / CATALONIA / SPAIN: The plan sounds good, but does it come true? The responsible tourism department leaders in Figueres Town Hall have come up with the idea of setting up a tourist train (as he has been doing for years in Roses), taking guests from the Casa de l'Empordà, the former slaughterhouse, to the Toy Museum and the Dalí Museum drive to the fortress of Sant Ferran at the northern exit of the city and bring it back again. The route would be almost straight ahead, as the former slaughterhouse is located at the extreme lower end of the Rambla and from there it goes straight up.

Talks with the various museums are under way. Uncertain outcome.