Lorraine Williamson
What should have been a record tourist season on the Costa Brava instead became one marked by shock and loss. In El Port de la Selva, a fishing village that swells tenfold each summer, the sudden deaths of a well-known hospitality couple have left ten businesses closed, 100 staff out of work, and the seafront eerily quiet.
The closures struck at the height of July and August, the months when the village relies most on visitors to sustain its economy.
A chain of tragedies
The crisis began in June when the wife of entrepreneur José Andrés Bel took her own life. Just weeks later, Bel himself attempted suicide and died in August after a period in hospital. His death, following so soon after his wife’s, stunned the local community and left employees reeling.
Police confirmed there is no ongoing investigation and have urged residents to ignore rumours that continue to circulate.
From rapid expansion to collapse
Bel was behind an unusually large share of the village’s hospitality trade, running around a fifth of all cafés, bars and restaurants locally, as well as premises in nearby Llançà and Selva de Mar. His strategy was aggressive: offering far above market rates for prime seafront properties, sometimes three times the usual bid in municipal auctions.
While the approach initially secured him enviable locations and attracted investors, concerns about the long-term sustainability of such high costs mounted. Some investors began withdrawing two years ago, and by this summer, confidence in the network’s financial viability had eroded.
Despite that, there is no evidence that Bel himself was burdened with personal debt.
Jobs and confidence vanish overnight
On 25 August, the shutters came down on the last of his businesses. Around 100 workers—permanent staff and seasonal recruits—suddenly found themselves unemployed. For a small village that depends heavily on summer tourism, the impact has been profound.
Councillor Roger Pinart, responsible for finance and security, described the closures as “severe” and praised staff who kept businesses running despite uncertainty over wages and leadership.
Hope for reopening, but doubts remain
There is cautious optimism. The new owner of the hospitality group has told the municipality he intends to reopen at least some of the premises. Local authorities say they are doing what they can to accelerate the process so that venues might return before the next holiday season.
For now, however, the sight of empty terraces along the village promenade is a daily reminder of what has been lost. Furniture and equipment have already been removed, signalling that a transition is underway.
Beyond economics: a question of image
El Port de la Selva’s seafront is its shop window. To see such a large portion of it standing dark and silent is a blow not only to the economy but to the village’s identity as a tourist destination. With thousands arriving each summer, the closures risk undermining the very image the village has worked to promote.
Looking ahead
The deaths of the couple and the collapse of their hospitality network have left deep scars in this corner of the Costa Brava. The challenge now is twofold: to restore the lost jobs and businesses, and to reassure visitors that the village’s future remains vibrant. Local leaders hope a swift reopening can bring stability before summer 2026.
Sources: El Periodico, El País