Catalan’s government apply for the management of 7 “paradores”

In December 2012, the Spanish government wanted to close during a period of 5 months 6 between 7 paradores in Catalonia: Seu d’Urgell, Cardona, Vielha, Artíes, Aiguablava and Vic-Sau. The association of Paradores refused closing completely these special hotels and wanted to reduce the number of workers that was going to be hired.

The Generalitat with the majors of the villages, where are located the paradores, were negotiating with the central government to pass the ownership of them. The Catalans said that thanks to the proximity, it would be easier to assure and consolidate the viability of these kind of hotels.

The measures that Madrid imposed weren’t economically justified and will clearly affect the employment and the touristic activity of the regions. It is true that most of the paradores in Spain have deficit. However, that is not the case of Catalan paradores, which have a positive economic balance. 

Fortunately, they have reduced the closing of paradores from 5 months to 40 days of holidays. If they had made them close 5 months, it would have affected very hard in the economic activity of the village, above all the weekend tourism and the business tourism. Finally, only 350 people were hired, meanwhile the government wanted to hire 644.

Even though Madrid didn’t accept the transfer of the paradores, the General Director of Turisme de la Generalitat de Catalunya, Marian Muro, insists on the importance and need of being able to manage them from Catalonia and she assure that they will continue fighting to get their ownership.

Why does the central government want to close the catalan paradores if they are profitable? If they don't want them, why don't they give their ownership to the catalan government? Do you think it is a good idea to close them 40 days or it is better 5 monhts?