Myriel Walter: “Barcelona has to be a pioneer to adapt with new travel behavior.”
Myriel Walter is German, 42 years old and a single mother of one daughter. She moved from Berlin to Barcelona in March 2021. She has lived in Vienna, London and Berlin. Currently she is Global Director of Culture & Membership of The Sircle, a membership club for entrepreneurs, innovators and the culturally curious, located inside Barcelona’s impressive Sir Victor hotel. Members have access to private social spaces, The Zero Space Spa & Gym and work areas, plus exclusive benefits on restaurants, hotel rooms, parking, meeting spaces and more. It was created to strengthen the important areas of its members’ lives: wellness, community, work and everything in between.
Why did you choose Barcelona?
During the beginning of the pandemic,we created the concept for The Sircle, our new private members’ club and we had to decide where we would launch the pilot before rolling it out in our other destinations in Europe.
We picked Barcelona for several reasons, including the beautiful facilities and location of Sir Victor, the multifaceted social communities of Barcelona and the cultural variety.
I came here to open The Sircle and was supposed to stay for only a few months but after the way Barcelona opened its arms upon my arrival, I quickly decided to move my daughter and myself here to stay.
What aspects of the city would you highlight as being positive?
The quality of life is very high in Barcelona with the climate, the easy access to the sea and mountains, the cultural variety, the beautiful architecture, the fantastic restaurant landscape and, last but not least, the way people enjoy life in the city. I still have a moment of realization every day how lucky I am to call Barcelona home.
What aspects of the city must be improved? How?
I believe cities need to work proactively on future trends, like the new way of working, health, security, education, individualization versus new communities and sustainability. The world is shifting rapidly and in order for Barcelona to remain as a global leader, it’s time for innovative concepts and proactivity.
Which are the city’s strengths that will allow it to overcome the COVID-19 crisis?
Barcelona has so much to offer already in terms of its cultural richness, innovation, creativity and I also have the feeling that people care for each other. If the city focuses even more on brave and innovative steps towards the new future, it will succeed.
What other challenges do you think the city will face once the health crisis ends?
Economic challenges like most cities. As Barcelona is very dependent on tourism, it’s crucial to be a pioneer to adapt with new travel behavior.
What do you expect from Barcelona in the coming years?
I expect Barcelona to attract a lot of start-ups and individuals who appreciate the joyful way of living in the city if the right programs are tied around this approach.
Which city do you feel as «your city»? What do you miss the most?
Barcelona is my city at this moment in time. Here, I feel very alive and connected to myself and my environment. At least once a day I pause and feel grateful for my new life. The only thing I miss are my friends.
Read the interview in El Periódico.
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