It will be “a shock” for the tourism and industrial sectors of the region, predict businessmen and unions
Renfe has sold almost 70,000 tickets for the new high-speed services to Asturias. The majority, around 60,000, have been booked to travel from tomorrow until January 15. Promotional tickets can be purchased for travel until February 15. They will be on sale at stations, in the Renfe purchasing application, by calling 912 320 320, at self-sales machines, on the renfe.com website and in travel agencies. Meanwhile, businessmen, chambers of commerce and unions agree that the Variant is not the goal, but the beginning of a “great opportunity”. But they demand to develop pending infrastructure, such as Zalia.
Maria Calvopresident of the Federation Asturian of Entrepreneurs (FADE), indicated that the Variant marks “one before and one after for the region and its companies”, responds to a “historical debt with Asturias” and presents “extraordinary opportunities in tourism and logistics”. He stressed that, properly promoted, it will help to de-seasonalize tourism and, “if we work with the sector, it will be a boost not only for the cities but also for the rural centers of the wings.” The businessmen are “convinced” that it can “revolutionize freight transport and solve a historical communications handicap from which our industry will benefit.” But the Variant It is “a piece of the puzzle and, now, we must work with ambition: develop Zalia, update the roads, connect our ports… This inauguration must be the beginning of a transformative strategy for the region,” he concluded.
Carlos Panicerespresident of the Oviedo Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that the Variant will promote “an exponential growth of the site of the origin of the Camino” of Santiago, an element that can be “fundamental for Oviedo and the Southwest.” The number of pilgrims who make the Camino from Ourense increased by 18% since the arrival of high speed. It will increase the number of digital nomads and workers, which can cause “a growth in population and activity.” He also foresees a leap in the field of congresses and fairs: “Oviedo, which has to enter that circuit and compete, is a great opportunity.” It will be “a stimulus for the city’s classic sectors: tourism, hospitality and commerce.”
Felix Baragaño, president of the Gijón Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that the opening of the Bypass will be “a historic event that opens a future of key connectivity for the development of Asturias.” He asked to “complete the León-Campomanes and Lena-Gijón sections with the triple thread.” He foresees a boost to tourism and the congress, convention and events sector, “for which Gijón is a privileged enclave.” “This infrastructure will achieve its maximum efficiency when it is complemented by the development of the metrotrain and the intermodal station,” he added. As for the transport of goods, it will mean “a boost to the hinterland of the port of Gijón”, boosting traffic and positioning El Musel “as one of the main suppliers of the great metropolis that is Madrid.”
Daniel Gonzalezpresident of the Avilés Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that high speed comes in “a momentous moment” for the Avilés region in two sectors: tourism and industrial.” He predicted that the region will cease to be a “secondary destination” and become a “preferred destination.” The Chamber works to enhance “the image of Avilés as a perfect destination for conferences of up to 500 people,” he noted. He indicated that the Chamber will continue to demand “the number of frequencies that corresponds to us by population, and departure and arrival times that allow round trips to Madrid within the day.”
Javier Fernández Lanerosecretary general of UGT, also pointed out that the Variant marks “a before and after whose importance we may not be aware of.” It will “directly” affect passenger transport and “very importantly” freight transport. “20 percent of the goods transported by rail are in Asturias and, therefore, it will be a real boost for very important companies in their connection with the Meseta and the Levant,” he said. He believes it will help deseasonalize tourism. “And, of course, it has to be the spearhead of the rest of the infrastructure that has to give meaning to the Atlantic Corridor,” he highlighted.
Jose Manuel Zapico, general secretary of CC OO, is clear that the Variant will be “a milestone in sociological terms.” It will mean “the end of the isolation and discrimination that we have suffered for decades” and will be “very important for industrial development and will give value to a sector such as tourism”. But he clarified that we cannot talk about the future “if traveling locally in Asturias is an obstacle course.” He hopes that the regional railway network will be strengthened, “because it is failing with continued incidents”, especially that of Feve. “The AVE and a powerful commuter network must be a key element of territorial cohesion,” he concluded.