Hundreds of Catalan schools have suspended trips and camps for the next academic year. The move, led by teachers, is already hitting theatres, museums and rural centres. Many fear layoffs if bookings do not recover by September.
Hundreds of cultural venues and educational businesses in Catalonia are reporting a sudden fall in school trip bookings after more than 1,300 public schools joined a campaign to suspend excursions and camps for the coming academic year. The action, initiated by teachers as a form of protest, is now causing widespread concern among theatres, museums, heritage sites and rural education centres, many of which rely heavily on school visits for their income.
The campaign, launched in the Maresme region and now supported by over half of Catalonia’s public schools, calls for a halt to all school outings until the Department of Education implements what teachers describe as “real, structural and effective improvements.” Despite two recent agreements between the regional government and unions, many educators remain unsatisfied and plan to continue the boycott, which affects both overnight camps and day trips during school hours.
For cultural organisations, the impact is immediate. Viu Teatre, a platform representing 150 theatre groups that stage performances for schools, reports that bookings for the next school year have stalled. While reservations for younger students remain stable, there is already a 25% drop in bookings from secondary schools. Theatres and companies are increasingly anxious, noting that for many vulnerable children, school-organised visits are their only opportunity to experience live theatre.
The Museu Paperer de Capellades, a popular destination for school groups, is also feeling the effects. Normally, the museum hosts two or three schools daily, but this summer, occupancy is down to 35–40%, with many public schools warning they may cancel existing reservations. Rural education centres like Aula de Entorno Rural Palaudàries have seen requests fall to a quarter of normal levels, putting jobs at risk. Without subsidies, some family-run centres say they cannot afford to open for just a few days a week.
Larger institutions such as MNAC, Fundació Miró and Caixaforum have not yet seen a significant decline, but they confirm that some schools have already notified them of plans to cancel trips next year. Companies that organise educational visits and activities in museums and hostels are also bracing for a difficult autumn, with many reporting cancellations of previously scheduled events, including visits to Park Güell and archaeological sites.
The most severe blow is being felt by the casas de colonias, or rural camps, where bookings have dropped by 70%. Industry associations are now in talks with the Catalan government, seeking support measures such as soft loans, grants and assistance with employment procedures. They are also urging the Department of Education to make school outings a formal part of the curriculum, a proposal recently debated in the Catalan Parliament.
Teachers behind the boycott insist their aim is not to harm cultural or educational businesses, but to pressure the government for better working conditions. They acknowledge that the move may affect children, especially those who rely on school for access to cultural experiences, but argue that lasting improvements require difficult choices. The response from families is mixed, with some supporting the protest and others worried about the impact on students.
This standoff comes as Catalonia faces broader social and economic challenges. According to recent analysis of poverty trends in the region, many families are already struggling with limited access to resources, making the loss of school-organised activities even more significant for vulnerable children.
As the new school year approaches, both cultural operators and education authorities are watching September closely. Many hope that a last-minute surge in bookings could avert layoffs and closures, but uncertainty remains high. The outcome may set a precedent for how labour disputes in education can ripple through other sectors, especially those dependent on public school activity.
School trips and camps have long been a fixture of Catalan education, providing students with access to culture, nature and history outside the classroom. The current suspension highlights the interconnectedness of education and the cultural economy, and raises questions about how both sectors can adapt to ongoing pressures and demands for reform.
