Spanish hotel owner turns resort over to refugees during coronavirus crisis
Madrid
IN a complex of holiday bungalows to the east of Madrid, Venezuelan refugees and homeless people have replaced the tourists, business meetings and wedding parties that usually fill the premises.
The owner of the La Ciguena resort has turned the facility over to some of Madrid's most vulnerable families, after he had to close the hotel because of the coronavirus outbreak sweeping through Spain.
"Since we've arrived, they've attended to our every need," said Stephanie Paez, an eight-month pregnant Venezuelan refugee, accompanied by her partner and mother. She said her aim was to find a job, an apartment and get her residency papers once the coronavirus crisis was over.
Spain is in strict lockdown as it battles one of the world's worst coronavirus outbreaks. The country's death toll has surpassed 11,000, second only to Italy. Bars, restaurants and shops selling non-essential items are closed.
The resort is housing 12 families with children, around 65 people, most of them Venezuelan refugees. Although the staff have been temporarily laid off while the complex is shut to paying visitors, they come in to help voluntarily. Families receive breakfast, lunch and dinner and come to the dining room, which overlooks a lake, in a staggered schedule so they can keep a distance of two metres between people.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Property Insights
Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond.
"We thought, 'What can we do, we have to do something' and it took one second to offer," Miguel Angel Carnero, the manager of the La Ciguena resort, told Reuters. "It's a way to do our bit, to contribute during this pandemic" he said. REUTERS
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Property
Airbnb promises to combat sex work in rentals during Paris Olympics
Hong Kong property deals hit three-year high in April
More homes planned in Media Circle to support housing demand
Qatari Sheikh sells London mansion to fellow royal for £39 million
Toronto home sales fall for third month in April; prices rise
Far East Shopping Centre owners in private talks after close of S$928 million en bloc tender