The Barcelona we aspire to from the commercial sector is one capable of becoming an international benchmark for its retail and restaurant offerings. Despite inflation, we closed 2022 with positive tourism and domestic consumption, and we believe this should be the way forward. Barcelona needs to strengthen its commercial character in a context where globalization, brand homogenization, and e-commerce question commercial activity in the city, when the reality is that Barcelona has a unique, singular, and competitive retail sector. And Barcelonans must be the first to value and commit to defending the presence of our establishments and commercial brands in our neighborhoods and commercial hubs; we must be an active part of the best store in the world that Barcelona should be.
It is well known that both commerce and restoration are sectors that generate wealth for the city, and, furthermore, they are also a source of social cohesion: we saw it clearly during the pandemic and we see it daily through the personal stories of human lives that pass through our commercial establishments. Therefore, the most important thing is to be able to count on public-private collaboration with the commerce and restoration sectors. We need to recover and establish a good dialogue between the public and private sectors to promote the challenges that should make Barcelona the best store in the world.
Barcelona's retail sector faces great challenges this year. On the one hand, the implementation of the APEUs, which must be provided with financing instruments, as has been demonstrated in other large commercial cities; maintaining commercial hours that allow for the spreading out of tourist spending, at least in the most central areas and during months of higher influx; efficient and accessible mobility both within Barcelona and in connection with its metropolitan area; a regulation of terraces that avoids street drinking and incivility; a cultural offer of leisure and entertainment to attract visitors, especially during periods of low visitor influx, between November and March; and, finally, and no less important, we need more security and less crime in our establishments and streets.
Barcelonans must be the first to value and commit to defending the presence of our establishments and commercial brands in our neighborhoods and commercial areas.Fortunately, we must celebrate good news, such as the Metropolitan Commitment 2030, with a proposal for the new city of five million, an indispensable instrument to plan the future under an integrated vision of the city with the metropolitan area. Or also the nomenclature ofBarcelona, as the European Capital of Proximity Commerce, which will undoubtedly highlight an economic sector with such a social and cultural impact, and at the same time, enhance the uniqueness of our commerce. Without forgetting the celebration of the America's Cup, a unique opportunity to renew and improve the commercial fabric of the center of Barcelona, especially in the areas closest to the event, such as Barceloneta, El Born, the Mercè neighborhood, theVia Laietana, la Rambla, laOlympic Village and Paral·lel.
For all these reasons, we need administrations that act as facilitators of commercial activity, of restaurants and services, that show commitment to proximity commerce, its commercial hubs, and its professionals.
We are on the path to recovery and, in this stretch of the path, it is essential that decisions about the city of five million are made to make Barcelona the best city in the world.
Add The New Barcelona Post as your preferred Google source for free
Stay informed with the latest news.