The recent railway crisis in Spain, triggered after the tragic accident that occurred in the province of Córdoba, has opened a scenario of uncertainty that transcends the field of transportation and fully reaches the business community. The high-speed network, operated mainly by Renfe and managed by Adif, is going through weeks marked by chain breakdowns, reductions in frequencies and extraordinary security measures in different parts of the country, also including several relevant incidents in Catalonia.

In this context, the MICE Forum – the association that brings together the meetings industry in Spain – has made public its concern about the impact that this situation is having on the holding of congresses, fairs, conventions and professional meetings. The organization emphasizes that mobility is a structural element for the activity of the sector and warns that the current instability is generating cancellations, postponements and decreases in both national and international assistance.

“The celebration of events depends structurally on an efficient, reliable and safe transportation network”says the entity in a statement. As he explains, the suspension of connections, the decrease in frequencies and the uncertainty in information are causing an increase in logistical costs for organizers and attendees, as well as a reputational deterioration that may affect future candidatures and the recruitment of large international meetings.

In recent years, Spain has consolidated a prominent position both in railway infrastructure and in the organization of professional events. The MICE sector – which brings together meetings, incentives, congresses and exhibitions – has benefited from a high-speed network that facilitates connection between cities in competitive times, reducing dependence on air transport and favoring sustainable mobility.

The MICE Forum warns that the perception of ambiguity in public information is amplifying insecurity beyond what is strictly operational. “Security is a priority and must be unquestionable. But along with it, rigorous, coordinated and continuous communication is essential that avoids speculation and allows companies and citizens to plan with certainty”collects the statement.

Among the demands raised by the employers’ association are the publication of clear, transparent and unified information on the real state of the railway network; a specific schedule for reestablishing frequencies and connections where circulation is viable; explicit security guarantees that allow trust to be regained; and specific support measures for the economic sectors directly affected.

The organization remembers that the events industry represents a strategic economic engine. The MICE Forum is made up of 17 national business and professional associations that cover the entire value chain of the sector, from organizers to suppliers, destinations, training and internationalization. Altogether, it represents more than 5,000 companies, with a turnover of more than 10,000 million euros and a significant generation of direct and indirect employment.

The employers reiterate their willingness to collaborate with the competent authorities to contribute to the recovery of confidence and operational normality. But there is an implicit warning and that is that without reliable mobility, the competitiveness of the sector suffers; and without trust, medium-term economic sustainability is compromised.