Ordino Official Blames Weather, Not Border Closure, for Event Attendance Drop

Ordino's senior councillor, Maria del Mar Coma, has attributed lower attendance at this year's Contrabandistes Trial reenactment and Cota 1.300 event primarily to poor weather, while downplaying the role of the RN20 border closure with France.

Responding to questions from the media, Coma acknowledged that adverse conditions this year significantly reduced visitor numbers. "We have had very bad weather, and as a result, we have had fewer people," she said. Organisers installed awnings to provide better shelter for attendees, but she noted that the outdoor nature of the event leaves it vulnerable to the elements.

Coma stressed that the weather's impact outweighed the effects of the RN20 blockade. "It has affected the Cota 1.300 more because of the climate than because of the French border closure," she explained. Nonetheless, she recognised the broader national consequences of the road closure, which adds an extra hour or hour-and-a-half to journeys. This could deter visitors who previously made weekend trips, prompting them to choose alternative destinations.

The councillor suggested the blockade's effects might be limited so far for longer stays of three days or more during February, but they could become more evident from March onward. "The border closure affects us all," she emphasised, describing it as a countrywide issue.

In Ordino, local businesses have not suffered major disruptions, Coma added. The parish's small retail sector primarily serves domestic customers, unlike tourist-heavy areas such as Pas de la Casa. No specific support measures have been introduced locally as a result.