A new legislation to control the tourist flow
The government of Andorra has started the process of creating a new law aimed at regulating the large volume of tourists visiting the country. These regulations will include a fee, in the form of a vignette, for vehicles entering from abroad, with the aim of limiting overcrowding and protecting natural resources.
A debate with the tourism sector
According to sources from the Andorran executive, work is being done to reach a consensus with local tourist companies. However, the newspaper Segre has reported that this fee will affect all foreign vehicles, which could have a significant impact on cross-border workers and those who need to enter the country for medical reasons.
Considerations on cross-border workers
The government has recognized that the situation of workers who cross the border daily is an aspect that requires special attention and will have to be resolved before implementing the new regulations.
A sustainable approach to tourism
Xavier Espot, Head of Government, has stressed the importance of establishing a system that is not only efficient but also promotes quality tourism. In a recent interview, he explained that the reflection on this measure will extend until the end of the year, giving time to assess the implications of such a significant change.
The amount of the vignette and its impact
Espot has indicated that the amount of the vignette must be reasonable, bearing in mind that the Andorran economy depends to a large extent on tourism. It has been suggested that overnight visitors should not have to pay this fee as they already contribute through tourist taxes.
Rethink the use of infrastructure
The government is also studying the possibility of creating car parks at the entrances to Andorra, with the aim of encouraging the use of public transport and reducing the impact of overcrowding. This would not only help better manage traffic, but could also represent a way to use the vignette revenue to improve transport services.
A constant increase in visitors
Recent data reveals that in 2023 Andorra received more than 9 million visitors, a remarkable increase of 11.2% compared to the previous year. The majority of these tourists, with a predominant profile of families and couples, arrive mainly to shop, which constitutes 57.9% of their motivations.
A challenge for the future
Dealing with the overcrowding of tourists is a challenge that Andorra must manage carefully. The implementation of a vignette for foreign vehicles is just one of many measures that could help preserve the country’s charm and ensure a sustainable future for its tourism sector.