MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Gibraltar visitors in October/November down 40% because of Spanish checks at border
Visitors to Gibraltar during the peak months of October and November have decreased by over 40% from the previous year, statistics reveal. This comes after restrictions were imposed at the border by the Spanish authorities which they say was in response to tobacco smuggling but began immediately after the Government’s decision to lay an artificial reef in July. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rules”In what could be an anticipation of things to come Spanish Civil Guards teams in black suits and berets were individually checking the purses of women crossing the border into Gibraltar and asking them how much money they had on them.”
Jan 02nd, 2014 - 07:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Whose money is it anyway? What next Rajoy, exit visas? Eric Honecker should have gone to Spain, not Chile, when the Wall fell and his nasty régime collapsed.
So rich Gibraltans are spending less in poor recession-hit Spain.
Jan 02nd, 2014 - 08:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And this affects which economy more?
And poor Spaniards can't get to work so they are earning less money to spend in Spain.
And this affects which economy more?
Fanboy must need a wheelchair...... because he hasn't just shot himself in one foot!
How much longer before the British Government just issues a travel advisory cautioning potential tourists that 'the situation is volatile and could alter at any time, please take this into account when planning your holiday'. Then give few basic, truthful, facts.
Jan 02nd, 2014 - 09:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@ 3 Gibraltar-registered cars have been vandalised in Spain a bit recently. Tourists going to Spain are taking a risk, a friend told me about police imposing fines for petty violations, like an 'insecure load' if you put your shopping on the car back seat after the supermarket.
Jan 02nd, 2014 - 09:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I went to Gib in November for a holiday, precisely because of this Spanish State nonsense, and it is a great spot for a city break, friendly locals, very low crime, great views from the Rock and plenty of history. If you want booze, Estonian vodka £3 for 50cl near the marina. What's not to like?
@4
Jan 02nd, 2014 - 09:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Did you fly in Mr Ed?
Would like to visit Gib without having to go to Spain.
Spain is hanging on the edge of a economic precipice, looking into the abyss.
Jan 02nd, 2014 - 10:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Catalans finally see the opportunity to rid themselves of the burden that is Madrid & celebrate their nationhood.
Meanwhile, all the PP want to do is increase the Gibraltar border restrictions to the point that even the EU will complain that they are unfair. Madrid knows only too well that although the commission refused to find against them, they did make certain recommendations which the Spanish are not holding to.
Time may come when it will be easier to employ people from Morocco than from Spain. The GOG can certainly purchase a number of ferries to bring the supplies from Portugal & North Africa, rather than Spain.
Bringing black suited para-military to the border will only make them appear more like the Nazis that they are. The Guardia Civil already know that their own foreign minister knows that they have no right to trespass in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, so it would be perfectly within the Foreign Office's rights to do something about it by making an official complaint to the Hague under UNCLOS, before the citizens of Gibraltar take it into their own hands to add a few of the GC boats to the artificial reef!
Spain is determined to act as a bully and will not stop until they are confronted. Let's hope that HMG does so soon, before Gibraltar becomes the reason that Britain withdraws from the EU in 2017.
However, I am very much of the opinion that after Catalonia votes Si Si later this year, then Spain will break up in 2015. Then the problem will solve itself when Spain has another civil war.
@5 Yes, I flew from LHR to Gibraltar. The Gib airport is marvellous, no queues, spotlessly clean, nice duty-free shops on landing and exit and an air of efficiency wholly absent in any UK airport with their general air of shabbiness and fluorescent jacket-wearing halfwits.
Jan 03rd, 2014 - 06:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0Spain can continue their harrassment as long as nobody actually does something about it.
Jan 03rd, 2014 - 09:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0The simplest solution would be a British boykot of Spain as a holiday destination; their economy would tumble.
But let's face reality. The average Brit couldn't care less, all they think about is to take their vacation somewhere with a warm climate, where they can get p!ssed cheap, so Spain can go on until one day, far into the future, a new British government with balls is elected.
This blasted 30 year rule in the UK, letting official cats out of bags.
Jan 03rd, 2014 - 10:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/451679/We-don-t-want-Gibraltar-back-What-Spain-s-King-Juan-Carlos-told-the-UK
Absolutely agree with much that is said below, Spain is no longer a safe destination for the British, who would risk taking their family there now?
Jan 03rd, 2014 - 11:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0As for the Gibraltar/Spain border, the black clad paramilitaries (little more than legalised thugs) search women, where the woman can't exercise a right to be searched by a female...any attempt to exercise any right at the border can be dangerous, trumped up charges in Spain are often met with brutality, it should be remembered that Spain isn't a proper democracy, they faked one to gain enter access to the EU and access to its funds (which Spain can no longer repay)
As for territorial water incursions by a Spain, the time has long since passed that the Royal Navy should be unshackled and arrest (or more) the armed paramilitary Spanish vessels that continue to trespass into British waters.
Can't wait for that referendum, the sooner we get out of toothless Europe, the better.
I keep trying tyo persuade the British government to carry out its obligations. It is obliged to defend Gibraltar and its citizens to the same extent as it would protect the free parts of the British Isles. All Brits should be telling their MPs, and the government, the same sort of thing. Apache attack helicopters for marine border patrol. With “shoot” rules of engagement. Warrior IFVs at the border. And if that isn't enough, deploy some of the mothballed Challenger 2s. And artillery on the top of the Rock. Perhaps some larger warships. But the last isn't really necessary. Spanish vessels, of any description, should be excluded from Gibraltar waters. And armed British troops should be on hand to protect citizens against Spanish thugs. With the simple “one shot for warning, second shot to kill” rules of engagement. We must all do whatever we can to help Gibraltar resist fascist bullying.
Jan 03rd, 2014 - 01:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The news today is that the Referendum Bill which Cameron put together to fend off the anti-EU lobby, is now going to fail to get through the House of Lords, which means that it is dead in the water.
Jan 03rd, 2014 - 02:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0With the 2017 Referendum scuppered (which is probably what Cameron wants - given that he knows he will lose), he's now banking on trying to win the 2015 election with a promise that he will let the public decide AFTER the renegotiation.
Except of course France has stated unequivocally that there will be NO renegotiation at all.
So effectively, Cameron is banking on his lie (the renegotiation), much as Millipede is banking on his reduction of the energy costs (then raising it afterwards) to get them elected.
What they fail to realise is that UKIP will storm the Euro Elections this year, leaving the conservatives with a very serious problem.
Either CaMoron gives in and states that he will take us out of Europe, or he will be looking at a Labour/Liberal coalition government from the opposition benches in 2015.
The only alternative is a coalition with UKIP, but I doubt that they will have enough votes together to defeat a Labour/Liberal coalition intent on keeping us in Europe.
I know that many in Gibraltar would prefer to remain in the EU, but given the behaviour of Spain, the border difficulties and the failure of HMG to properly protect Gibraltar, I suspect they would be far better off outside Europe.
At least then they would not be paying for Spain's mistakes.
La Linea suffers from the Spanish action on the border.
Jan 03rd, 2014 - 03:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.lalineadigital.es/2014/01/semana-clave-para-el-comercio-de-la-linea-por-las-ventas-del-dia-de-reyes-marcada-por-el-paro-y-gibraltar/
Good News - the new series of 'Gibraltar - Britain in the Sun', starts on Tuesday at 20:00 Channel 5.
Jan 03rd, 2014 - 06:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Oh dear!! those concrete blocks have turned out to be rather expensive for Mr Pigardo!! next time think twice before you do something stupid!!
Jan 03rd, 2014 - 07:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@15, not exactly, more pain for Spain before it turns into the next Yugoslavia.
Jan 03rd, 2014 - 09:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Royal Navy are doing their job in Gib.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CReWBTBhGwc&list=UUZmAMaPOlLTPGZJWO5ph0mg&feature=c4-overview&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCReWBTBhGwc%26feature%3Dc4-overview%26list%3DUUZmAMaPOlLTPGZJWO5ph0mg
And that was the end of Picardo.
Jan 03rd, 2014 - 09:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Any future buffooneriee and it'll be the airspace.
Enjoy the “reef”.
@17
Jan 04th, 2014 - 10:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0Not at all.
In fact, it's the end of Rajoy, because he will be presiding as Spain disintegrates into 5 separate states.
Catalonia will vote Si Si later this year. The Basque country will be next, followed by Galicia and Andalucia. Madrid will be left with the rest and become a 3rd rate European province.
Tbf nazis can be bothered to iron amd polish their uniform and get up before 10am.
Jan 04th, 2014 - 10:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0They also like the spanish were massive bullies but unlike the spanish were prepared to fight
LOL!!disintregration of Spain..where?? when?? how?.
Jan 04th, 2014 - 02:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Spanish state has in its power to stop any disintregation..no worries,mate!!
LOL.Catalonia will be independent when we land a man in mars..........
@20
Jan 04th, 2014 - 05:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You never know what might happen!
http://www.mars-one.com/
Your English is not as good as it used to be.
@ 21 Leiard
Jan 04th, 2014 - 06:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I must admit I think grass has something to do with this, four out of the seven are from The Netherlands!
As I said @12 above yesterday, the confirmation of the Referendum Bill being challenged in the House of Lords:
Jan 04th, 2014 - 06:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/constitution-committee/news/eu-referendum-report/
Scotland will be independent long before Catalonia.
Jan 04th, 2014 - 08:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0*24 No I don´t think so!! The Scots are not silly!! The union has worked well so why ditch it on the whim of a Nationalist fool.
Jan 04th, 2014 - 09:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That's the first thing that aussie sunshine has said which is true!
Jan 04th, 2014 - 09:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Scots will vote against independence. They have too much invested in staying part of the United Kingdom.
Catalonia however WILL vote Si Si for independence and will seize it if Madrid refuses to agree. The rest of Europe will support Catalonia to avoid letting Madrid start a civil war.
*26 LOL NO THEY WON¨T ( They willl not vote as there will be no vote)
Jan 04th, 2014 - 09:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0what a shame!! Hate to be a wet blanket but the law is the law.....
The Basque terrorists have tried it in the last 30m years to no avail..so how
would the nationalist catalans achieve it!!?? ummm
@ 27
Jan 04th, 2014 - 09:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0OH YES THEY WILL!
Come Dame Clutterbuck, your turn now.
Sorry guys, got to keep the kid amused.
It seems that aussie sunshine is a 'denialist'.
Jan 05th, 2014 - 01:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0One of those people who refuse to accept the truth, even if it stares them in the face.
The Catalans demonstrated their desire to be independent by forming a human chain that went for hundreds of miles.
Are you seriously suggesting that Madrid can prevent a poll being taken?
Are you seriously suggesting that Madrid would order troops (because the local Police won't do it) to arrest anyone conducting the poll?
Are you seriously suggesting that the independent international observers would stand by whilst this happens?
Are you seriously suggesting that the world's media would not report on Spain's barbarity in trying to stifle the free expression of choice, of SELF-DETERMINATION, by the Catalan people?
Are you seriously suggesting that the EU would allow Madrid to start a civil war within the boundaries of the EU?
Are you seriously suggesting that the EU would stand by and let a conflict similar to the Serbia/Croatia/Bosnia/Kosovo conflict to break out on their doorstep?
Are you seriously suggesting that the EU would ignore the huge amount of revenue that comes from production & trade in the Catalan region and the taxes which then go to feed the EU machine?
Because if you are suggesting this....
Then you need psychiatric treatment or better still hospitalisation for mental illness.
I visited Gibraltar for the first time in late November. It's was charming, beautiful and just a little quirky, but I loved it. Fortunately I flew from London direct to GIB so I didn't have to deal with any Spanish shenanigans at the border. It seemed to me that many, many Spanish people worked in Gibraltar - there were lots of waiters, bar staff, hotel staff working there. The only people the Spanish government are really hurting are ordinary Spanish people who have to cross the border every day to earn a living. The Gibraltarians themselves seem proudly British. I saw the Union Jack flying from a lot of private balconies suggesting rather strongly where their loyalities lie.
Jan 05th, 2014 - 09:27 am - Link - Report abuse 0Gibraltar for the Gibraltans.
Jan 05th, 2014 - 11:14 am - Link - Report abuse 0Catalonia for the Catalonians.
Spain for the losers.
Seems an equitable division to me.
@Jaydub
Jan 05th, 2014 - 01:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You are quite right. The people of Gibraltar are fiercely proud of being British and they display this with flags. It's true that this display of loyalty to the crown comes from the overt aggressiveness of the neighbours to the north.
I'm sure that if the Spanish were more friendly and accepted that they can NEVER reclaim Gibraltar, then the Gibraltarians would be more open to them. That there would be fewer British flags and more Gibraltar ones.
It's the same for all Commonwealth countries. They are proud of their connection to the United Kingdom. There's even a state of the United States which still has the Union Flag in the corner of their state flag.
The Americans are overtly proud of their stars and stripes when they remember independence day, but whenever they speak, they speak ENGLISH and are proud that their country developed from nations all over the world, but first and foremost among these was Britain, the land of the Mayflower from Plymouth to Plymouth Rock.
We won't have to wait long until Spain splits into 5 separate nations. Then Gibraltar will have friendly relations with their independent brothers in Catalonia, the Basque country, Galicia & Andalusia, whilst they ignore the fools in Madrid.
I cannot wait until November when Catalonia votes Si Si to become the next European State.
@ 32 nigelpwsmith
Jan 05th, 2014 - 03:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“There's even a state of the United States which still has the Union Flag in the corner of their state flag.”
Yes, and the birthplace (allegedly) of the most rabidly anti-British President the States as ever had: Hawaii.
It doesn’t help that he is a Muslim either.
Nigel getting his hopes up.
Jan 06th, 2014 - 04:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0Nigel - Call back here/Message me when Catalonia is independent for your free $250 prize.
Will western union, paypal, etc
*29 What I am seriously suggesting is that it is an internal matter and Spain will legally deal with it, without any outside interference.Bosnia/Kosovo is not Spain..do read a little history before making silly comments.
Jan 07th, 2014 - 01:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0If there are riots then the National Guard will be brought in like the USA national Guard was brought in during the L.A riots or the same as the UK did in Northern Ireland suspending the NI parliament and sending in troops. A democratic nation has many obtions to prevent lawlessness.
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