The Catalan capital is suffering from a sore lack of tourists. While politicians are calling for vacationers to return, critics of mass tourism find it difficult to make their voices heard.
In pictures: How lockdown emptied the world s most popular tourist destinations
From Buckingham Palace to Times Square, the world s top attractions have been left deserted during the pandemic
24 February 2021 • 10:35am
It’s hard to fathom that, just over a year ago, we would stand elbow-to-elbow with our fellow humans, without a second thought as to whether they might infect us with a highly contagious disease called Covid-19.
Every February, revellers would take to the streets in Venice, wearing masks for fun, rather than to prevent infection. In spring, thousands of marathon runners would trample the streets in London, while on Easter Sundays the Pope would address the masses in St Peter’s Square. Gathering was something we enjoyed doing, rather a lot.