Published: Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Bear market for Pamplona bulls
Don't bother asking the tens of thousands of revelers who kicked off Pamplona's running of the bulls Monday, but lean times are hitting even Spain's famed San Fermin festival.
Rates on hotel rooms are down because as demand has slackened; big-spending American and other foreign visitors are harder to find, and bars that usually make a killing off hordes of thirsty patrons expect to serve up less booze.
The Pamplona city hall cut its festival budget by more than 10 percent as Spain's unemployment rate hit 17.4 percent. The party is far from over, but it might be watered down this time.
"People throwing sangria everywhere. It is just unbelievable," said Ricky Birmingham, a 20-year-old from Australia.
Rates on hotel rooms are down because as demand has slackened; big-spending American and other foreign visitors are harder to find, and bars that usually make a killing off hordes of thirsty patrons expect to serve up less booze.
The Pamplona city hall cut its festival budget by more than 10 percent as Spain's unemployment rate hit 17.4 percent. The party is far from over, but it might be watered down this time.
"People throwing sangria everywhere. It is just unbelievable," said Ricky Birmingham, a 20-year-old from Australia.
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