In Spain, as in some other countries in southern Europe, there is a new, increasingly pressing problem: water shortages. The situation is so tense this year that the particularly affected region of Catalonia introduced drastic water-saving measures in April to combat the water shortage. Fountains remain dry, and beach showers are only running in a few places. The summer has already brought record temperatures and drought, and the country is facing a major challenge: how can the scarce resource of water be distributed sensibly and fairly? After all, it is not just private households that want to use water, but also the important economic sectors of agriculture and tourism. Conflicts are inevitable. "I have a very ambivalent feeling about it," says holidaymaker Bettina, looking at the pool of the campsite where she is currently parked in her motorhome. It is on the edge of the Doñana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a refuge for thousands of endangered bird species. It was Spain's largest wetland, and in 2022 it dried up completely because too much water had been taken from it. For tourism, lawn sprinklers, beach showers, and hotel pools, among other things. Pools like the one in Bettina's complex. "Especially now, when it's over 40 degrees, it's good to cool down," says the tourist from Dieburg. "It doesn't work without it. People on holiday in Spain simply expect it," confirms Laura Pérez, marketing manager of a hotel in Lloret de Mar. "We've lowered the water in the pool by 20 centimeters, and it's not replaced as often anymore," she explains the first austerity measures in Catalonia. But is that enough if Spain continues to dry out? With 80 million visitors a year, Spain is not only one of the world's most popular travel destinations, it's also Europe's greenhouse. Agriculture pumps millions of liters of water out of the groundwater every day to irrigate strawberries, tomatoes, and avocados. This is also happening in the Doñana National Park, via hundreds of illegal wells. There is no other way to cope with the enormous growth rates in agriculture. "That's suicide," complains environmentalist Juan Romero. "Unlimited growth does not fit on a finite planet." "The Story" investigates the water shortage in Spain, looks in Catalonia and Andalusia to see what effects it is already having and how tourism is reacting to the new situation. What does a vacation look like in times of drought and heat - and where is there hope for improvement? ???? If you liked this video, give us a like! ______ ???? A film for The Story by Dirk Bitzer and Fritz Sprengart. Camera: Fritz Sprengart Editing: Sonja Krause Collaboration: Barbara Platsch and Luis Sastre Production: Jens Stakemeier and Claudia Schaefer Editors: Beate Schlanstein and Gudrun Wolter © WDR 2023 This film was produced in 2023. All statements and facts correspond to the status at the time and have not been updated since then. ______ ???? More documentaries in the ARD Mediathek: https://1.ard.de/yt_doku?yt=d More documentaries on the topic: ???? Turkey: It's only cheap for tourists: • Turkey: It's only cheap for tourists ... ???? Holidays only for the rich? How the Netherlands are raising prices - • Holidays only for the rich? How the N... ???? Mallorca - Too dependent on tourism? - • Mallorca - Too dependent on tourism?... ???? Mass tourism on the Baltic Sea - Can the natural paradise still be saved? - • Mass tourism on the Baltic Sea - Can th... ???? Mallorca without party tourists? How Corona is changing the island - • Mallorca without party tourists? How Cor... ???? Bulgaria - Golden Sands party despite Corona? - • Bulgaria - Golden Sands party despite Co... ???? Holiday paradise Croatia - The dark side of the tourism boom - • Holiday paradise Croatia - The dark side... ???? The new Mallorca? Party vacationers in Bulgaria - • The new Mallorca? Party vacationers in B... ???? Mallorca - island on the verge of collapse - • Mallorca - island on the verge of collapse WD... ???? Empty beaches, empty coffers? Croatia vacation and Corona - • Empty beaches, empty coffers? Croatia... ______ #Spain #Vacation #WDRDoku #Water #ClimateChange #Travel