British tourists in Spain will be ‘baked’ after the country passes strict air conditioning rules, warns tourism chief | World News

British tourists visiting Spain will be “baked” under new energy-saving measures that ban air conditioners from setting temperatures lower than 27 degrees Celsius in the summer, a tourism industry chief has warned. .

The country has adopted a new set of rules that will also consider heating not allowed above 19 degrees Celsius in winter.

The measures will apply to offices, shops, bars and restaurants as well as the public transport system and transport hubs. Stores will have to close to maintain temperatures.

They are part of Spain’s effort to cut gas use by 7% under a recent European Union agreement to reduce dependence on Russian gas.

Lights will also have to be turned off in shops and empty government offices from 10 p.m., under the new rules.

However, Spain is currently experiencing a very hot summer, with temperatures above 40 °C in many places, and the president of the tourist board of the Costa del Sol has criticized the measures.

“We want satisfied tourists, not grill tourists or people who are afraid of walking on dark streets,” says Francisco Salado.

He has called on the government to “spend mental energy on more effective measures”.

He added: “It’s as if this decree was written by a Martian who has no deep understanding of our country and who has not consulted anyone.”

He added that it “doesn’t make sense” to force hotels, restaurants, bars, museums, cinemas, shops, piers and bus stations, and airports to raise their summer temperatures. 27 degrees “exactly in the middle of a heatwave”.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that travelers can continue to keep cold in their hotel rooms, as they are considered “private spaces”, but all other public areas will be subject to the law. new.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the new product package last week, saying, “You just have to walk into a shopping mall to realize that maybe the temperature is set too low.”

Spanish public institutions have operated similar energy-saving regulations.

The government says the measures will not only save energy but also reduce bills for households and businesses.

Spain is one of the hottest European countries in the summer. The country has had two heatwaves this year with temperatures forecast to soar again in the first weeks of August.