The decision comes after dozens of tech
companies and wireless carriers dropped
out, with the latest cancelations by Nokia,
Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom and Britain’s BT on
Wednesday. Other companies that dropped out
earlier include Ericsson, Nokia, Sony, Amazon,
Intel and LG. The companies cited concerns for
the safety of staff and visitors.
Organizers and government officials had
sought to hold out against growing pressure
to cancel the annual tech extravaganza,
which had been expected to draw more than
100,000 visitors from about 200 countries,
including 5,000 to 6,000 from China. The show
normally represents a huge source of revenue
for hotels, restaurants and taxi companies.
Authorities have estimated the show was to
generate 473 million euros ($516 million)
and more than 14,000 part-time jobs for the
local economy.
Spain’s vice president, Carmen Calvo, said there
was “no public health reason” to call off the show.
She said Spain had a good health response system
and was following all of the recommendations
from the World Health Organization.
Dr. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s emergencies chief,
said before the cancellation that the show could
have gone on.
He said that while no mass gathering is ever
risk-free, with the potential for food poisoning,
injuries or building collapse, most events “can
continue if the proper measures can be applied.”
Spanish labor unions said that the show
was called off due to the panic of the major
technological companies. The CCOO union’s
regional leader, Javier Pacheco, denounced