Catalunya Independence Referendum - How Might it Affect Travel

Anyone visiting and expecting a Pancho Villa style revolution will sadly be disappointed... I'm afraid you won't see scenes like the Storm of the Winter Palace of the Russian revolution either. We're civilized people here in Catalonia and the push for independence, should the majority say so, will be carried out on a democratically and peaceful way -as we've done it so far and will, no doubt, take several months to be in place as there'll be lots to negotiate, amicably or not, with the Spanish state and the EU. Latest rally, just one week ago on our National Day , Sep 11th, an estimated 1.8-2 million in the streets supporting independence on a joyful family-type celebration without a single incident: no violence, no rioting, no looting.... can everybody say so about such huge rallies in their own home countries?

Anyhow, I fail to see how an election in a Western country does affect travel anywhere, moreover taking into account that one votes in his/her electoral council, where one lives, so no need for travelling to vote.

I agree w Enric, whose contributions I highly value, as we have twice come across large public demonstrations in Barcelona and found them to be civilized noisy affairs, but also entertaining. On the other hand the demonstration in Madrid, of teachers protesting pay cuts, was a completely different experience.

Appreciate your comment Marbleskies :))

It's so easy to be misunderstood in these emails. In no way am I concerned about possible rallies or protests. I don't think my question expressed fear of the fine people of the region or of gatherings of people. I should have been more specific in asking if anyone knows about traveling in and around Barcelona, should the region become independent from Spain. There is a lot of "talk" about the Catalunyan relationship with the EU, banks, etc. I was hoping to find out if anyone had more information that is currently available to us here in the US. My feeling, after reading the responses, is that there is little information about the logistics of independence if that's the way the vote swings. Thanks for the responses.

Marc, any independence process in a Western country in the 21st century is a very complex process, not happening "in 24h" if you catch my drift. Also, the "logistics of any independence" are not written on stone because it wildly varies depending on a number of factors, some internal some external, some controllable, some not: whether it's an amicable separation, whether there's more or less international support (or boycott), etc. so there's a certain degree of uncertainty involved in such processes. It obviously has been considered by the two sides and you can bet there are action plans and backup plans for it... although as you can understand, as in any negotiation, these are only revealed as/when it's the appropriate time.

In any case, I think you're jumping ahead... first there's an election on the 27S which has to be won, then if it indeed is won, it's expected yet another effort on the Catalan pro-independence parties to try to negotiate with the Spanish (which would obviously take some time). If these negotiations were to fail or couldn't be started (because the Spanish still don't want to negotiate), then and only then unilateral action can perhaps be taken. Time will tell.

But first things first: election > if victory is attained, then negotiation > then decisions/actions. I don't see any of these affecting visitors to Catalonia for the foreseeable future.

Thanks, Enric. I appreciate your thoughtful response.