Spain still a top destination for holidaymakers

Spain remains one of the top destinations for holidaymakers around the
world, as tourist numbers and property enquiries both increased this
summer.
Figures released by the Frontier Tourist Movement reveal that Spain has
received 7.4 per cent more international tourists this year compared to the
same time in 2010, proving that the country’s beaches and culture are still
attracting visitors.
Around 32.3 million international tourists visited Spain between January
and July of this year, with July alone welcoming 7.5 million tourists. Up
to July 2011, Spanish airports received nearly 36.5 million passengers. The
busiest budget airline was Ryanair, which experienced a 25% increase in air
traffic to Spain.

Unsurprisingly, visitors from the UK led the way with 7.4 million
passengers (35.8 per cent), while Germany and Italy followed with 4.2m (20
per cent) and 2.2m (10.7 per cent).

The biggest rise to Spanish shores came from Swedish visitors (40.8 per
cent), who are purchasing an increasing amount of property in Spain. France
and the Netherlands also saw their number of tourists grow. Estate agent
Spanish Hot Properties comments: “Of all the tourists who chose to holiday
in the Costa del Sol, around 72% said they were attracted mainly by the
prospect of sun and sand which will come as no shock considering the
region’s exceptional climate.”

Spain continued to attract foreign interest in August too, Robin Brayne, Commercial Director of the overseas property portal, comments: “Once again, Spain is head and shoulders above the rest of Europe. People remain attracted by the country’s sunny coast and relaxed lifestyle, and further interest has been fuelled by the glut of repossessed & distressed properties being sold on by Spanish banks, offering homes at
superb value.”

Of course the Canary Islands, perticularly Tenerife remain popular for sales and purchase of propertyand holidays. As Spanish tourism soars this summer, the property market is looking increasingly sunny.

Property prices begin to stabilise in Spain and Tenerife

Property prices stabilising in Tenerife and Spain

Property prices stabilising in Tenerife and Spain?

Spanish property prices fell by 9.8% over 12 months to the end of May, according to the latest Spanish property price index published by Tinsa, one of Spain’s leading appraisal companies.

For what they are worth, the figures represent a slight improvement on the previous month, when prices fell by 10.1%. It could be a sign that the slide in prices is beginning to stabilise, though more months will have to pass before we can call a trend.
Once again, coastal areas were the hardest hit, thanks to the concentration of second homes in those areas. Average prices in coastal municipalities fell by 12.8%.
House prices in the suburbs fell by 9.6%, and by 9.8% in The Balearics and The Canaries.
The problem with Tinsa’s figures is that, like the government’s figures, they bear little relation to the real world, where prices are down by at least 20% to 30% and again this may be the best time for those with cash to grab that bargain property in sunny Tenerife.