Andorra Ends Fuel Vouchers as Landslide-Closed Road Reopens Early

Andorra's Tourism Ministry will stop issuing fuel vouchers on Monday, March 9, with the RN-20 road set to reopen the following day after its closure due to a January 30 landslide between L'Hospitalet and Mérens. Vouchers already distributed remain valid through the end of March.

The program, started February 21 at the Pas de la Casa tourism office, provided 3,981 vouchers at €30 each, totaling €120,000 and averaging 400 daily. Government spokesman Guillem Casal called the aids "important and useful," crediting them with cutting vehicle entry declines from 70-75% to 45-47% and lifting L'Hospitalet shuttle ridership from five daily to over 200 on average, with weekend peaks above 300. Other short-term measures, including €200 payments for buses and hauliers plus aid for Andorrans buying supplies abroad, will also end as planned. February CASS contribution reductions and soft loans—originally tied to post-reopening—stay available, with Casal highlighting "millions" in total government support for businesses.

The early reopening, two months ahead of April projections and with enhanced safety measures, brings relief but leaves Pas de la Casa merchants pressing for more. In a Tuesday meeting, representatives including Gerard Pifarré and Josep Maria Mas from the Economic and Social Council welcomed the news but stressed ongoing woes: sharp drops in French visitors after Carnival, worse this week than prior ones, and negligible voucher benefits beyond fuel stations. Many recipients refueled and departed without local spending, some trying multiple claims per vehicle, prompting calls to tie future aids to €50-60 purchases excluding tobacco.

Merchants demand a strong promotional push via Andorra Turisme targeting Occitania, spotlighting March 14 Constitution Day—a commercially active Saturday—as the first post-reopening weekend. They seek 15-20% rent cuts with fiscal relief for landlords, soft loan extensions through Q1, and aids prolonged to month-end amid irrecoverable losses. ERTOs are now off the table. CEA president Gerard Cadena links any extensions past March 9 to documented losses, especially for tobacco sectors.

Ongoing RN-20 stabilization over 12-18 months fuels demands for a clear low-season schedule with advance notice to dodge peaks like July-August. Hibernation festival organizer Hugo Sauterel noted a 15% ticket sales drop, predicting slow recovery. Merchants push a long-term reactivation plan with Tourism, Commerce, and Encamp commune, including year-round street events to diversify beyond tobacco. Andorra Turisme is promoting the reopening in Occitania, but locals want more. The Economic and Social Council meets mid-month to press these issues.