Spain and Tenerife makes good progress according to World Tourism Organisation.

May 19, 2011 – 9:56 am

Spain and Tenerife's tourism numbers on the increase once more.

Spain has made good progress, putting the country on course to fulfil the World Tourism Organisation’s (WTO) predictions. The WTO announced that Spain is expected gain annual increases in its tourism levels of 5%; reaching an impressive 75 million yearly visitors by 2020. This 2020 forecast represents 20 million more visitors than received in Spain’s 2005 peak.

Data recorded throughout February showed that Spain experienced a year on year tourism increase of 4.3% which is promising as visitor numbers are set to increase at higher rates during the summer.

Furthermore, growth specific to the most popular holiday resorts has been even stronger. The Costa Blanca, home to the famous resorts of Benidorm, Alicante and Orihuela saw impressive growth of 10% last year. In the Canary Islands, Tenerife saw an increase in visitors too.

Another popular Spanish tourism hot spot expected to see accelerated growth over coming years is Murcia. Host to the planned Paramount Theme Park set to open in 2015, Murcia is will welcome millions more visitors every year.

Source: SelectProperty.com

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Spain receives 9million international tourists in first three months of the year

May 12, 2011 – 10:10 am

Spain received 9 million international tourists in the first three months of the year, according to figures drawn up by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade and published by the Frontur opinion poll.

This represents an increase of 2.9% over the same period last year. This increase is nearly ten times higher than the 0.3% registered in the first quarter of 2010. Particularly noticeable, were the increases in tourists from the Netherlands (22.3%), Belgium (20%), Switzerland (14.8%), Scandinavia (11.7%) and Italy (10.9%).

However, the UK remained Spain’s number one market, with 1.8 million tourists (albeit a decrease of 4.8% from 2010), followed by Germany with 1.47 million (3.7% less), and France with 1.2 million (2.7% more than last year).

In March, international tourist arrivals rose 0.6% to 3.5 million passengers, the Ministry said, recalling that last year’s Easter Week (Semana Santa) began in this month.

An increase in tourism usually spells greater interest in property purchase for second and holiday homes. Areas such as Tenerife are seeing a return of interest in the market as a result of such tourism

Source: Kyero

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“Super reduced VAT” for tourism sector?

May 4, 2011 – 8:31 am

"Super reduced" VAT may help tourism sector in Spain and Tenerife.

The Spanish People’s Party (PP) is to promote a “super reduced” VAT rate (IVA in Spanish) for the tourism sector, which is expected to benefit such services as accommodation, catering and public transport and aim to bring them in line with their European competitors. Ana Mato, PP’s Deputy Secretary, says the PP considers tourism “essential” for the future of Spain and are committed to its modernisation and development. PP leader Mariano Rajoy, and likely future Prime Minister of Spain, has already intimated intentions to reduce the VAT on these tourism services, currently at 8%, to 4%. The current opposition party are also keen to encourage tourism development in other areas such as inland, rural, cultural, languages, religion, sports and spas as a means of achieving effective seasonal tourism, and they plan to externally promote Spanish tourism products in a campaign to boost Spain’s image. The PP are counting on government and industry support in order to realise the potential for growth in this area and feel it is time to think long term, to diversify, upgrade and ensure Spain’s international competitiveness. Source: Kyero

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Tourism rises in Spain during the first quarter

April 27, 2011 – 1:51 pm

Activity in Spain’s tourism sector jumped 2.4 percent in the first quarter of the year as sunseekers shunned rival resorts in Egypt and Tunisia because of anti-government uprisings there, a trade association said Wednesday.

The Canary Islands archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and major cities on the mainland were the main beneficiares, thanks to the recovery of business tourism and to foreigners taking short breaks, the Exceltur umbrella tourism trade association said.

There was “a notable increase of 2.4 percent of tourism GDP in the first quarter, the biggest increase of all the sectors of the economy,” it said.

“The strong and unexpected surge in activity is mainly due to the current redirection of overseas demand from Egypt and Tunisia, which has benefited the Canaries almost exclusively.”

Source: The Independent

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Spain’s high quality property in demand

March 18, 2011 – 3:09 pm

Quality property in Spain, Tenerife and the Islands is always in demand

The UK has London, France has Paris and now, it seems, Spain has its own elite property market that’s surging ahead of the rest of the country. Whilst recovery in the national property market after the 2008 collapse remains slow, the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Majorca, Minorca and Formentera are a different story, with sales increasing by 14% in 2010 and expected to keep growing as tourism booms this year. 

A total of 10,860 homes were sold in the islands last year according to government statistics which, when compared to the 491,000 properties sold nationally, made up quite a large percentage of total sales figures in Spain. And that percentage is growing at speed – whilst home sales in the Spanish market as a whole only grew 5.9% from 2009′s numbers, sales in the Balearics were up 14.5% compared with figures for the previous year.

“Over the last 12 months we have seen buyer interest in the Balearic Islands, especially Majorca, rise steadily”, said Ignacio Osle, sales director of the nation’s largest homebuilder, Taylor Wimpey Espana. An enduringly popular tourist destination amongst Brits in particular, the Spanish Tourist Board estimates holiday visits from UK customers to the Balearics has grown 13% so far this year.

This trend is expected to continue into the peak summer season, as a result of both holidaymakers changing their destinations from Tunisia and Egypt to Spain and the Canary Isles, and last-minute holiday bookings for the Royal Wedding holiday period. UK-based tour operator Thomas Cook reported a 30 per cent surge in enquiries for Balearics packages over the April break, whilst charter airline Monarch has extended its services from the UK to Majorca to cope with growing demand.

Osle recommended Majorca particularly as a hotspot for property investment. With plans currently in the works to construct a Formula 1 track near the island’s transport hub of Palma, long-term tourism prospects look good, and continuing foreign interest has ensured prices retain their value compared to the rest of the Spanish market.  “The local property market remains buoyant, with foreign buyers keen to get a slice of island life by purchasing high quality, well located properties”, said Osle.

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Good news for Spanish government

February 11, 2011 – 9:50 am

Good news at last for Spain,Tenerife and the Canary Islands

Good news has been few and far between for the Spanish government of late, but it seems now for the tourist industry the sun has finally broken out of the clouds. The latest figures from the federal ministry of tourism show a modest increase in the number of foreign visitors to the country last year, with 52.6 million international arrivals in 2010 as compared to 52.5 million in 2009. 

Tourist numbers have declined steadily in the country since the financial crisis hit, with a 2.3 per cent decrease in the number of foreign visitors in 2008 and  8.7 per cent in 2009. Spain has faced ongoing problems since the GFC with a national debt crisis and a severe decline in housing prices, so it’s extremely positive to see the tourist industry getting back on its feet.

Whilst the figures appear modest next to the overall 5% increase to Western European tourism, the ministry noted that in the face of a number of external factors – disruptions to travel from volcanic ash and domestic air traffic control strikes, and inclement weather in the UK and US in December – local tourism was still doing well. 

“The tourism sector has shown its strength in the context of the crisis that we have experienced,” a statement said. “The forecasts for 2010 showed a fall in tourism, but the sector has beaten the predictions of just six months ago and ended the year with positive figures, and tourist arrivals recorded the first increase since 2007.”

In addition the more visitors to Spain, Tenerife and the Canary Islands, the more people realise the advantages of owning property in these areas and look to purchase.

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Turmoil in Egypt means more tourists in Tenerife

February 4, 2011 – 11:15 am

The troubles in Egypt and Tunisia have lead to an increase in tourism in Tenerife and the Canary Islands

The political turmoil in Egypt and Tunisia has European tour operators scrambling to divert package tours to more stable destinations, and several thousand tourists have already been re-routed to beaches in Spain, particularly Tenerife and the Canary Islands a Spanish tourism industry official told CNN.

“We can’t be happy about unfortunate circumstances elsewhere,” said Rafael Gallego Nadal, president of the Spanish Federation of Travel Agency Associations. “But the increase (in tourists) has arrived at an important moment” as Spain recovers from a deep economic slump.

In addition to the few thousand extra British, German and Scandinavian holidaymakers who’ve already arrived in Spain’s Canary Islands, predictions are there could be tens of thousands of additional vacationers by May, Gallego said.

For now, the seven-island Canaries archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean just west of Morocco, is the only part of Spain that can compete directly with Egypt and Tunisia for the beach vacation business in winter.

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This Spanish hotel really is rubbish!

February 1, 2011 – 1:28 pm

This hotel in Madid really is rubbish!

Madrid’s most unusual hotel has opened. It really gives a new meaning to the words, “That place was rubbish.”

The Save the Beach Hotel, constructed of 12 tonnes of litter collected from Europe’s beaches, is open to the public as part of the city’s International Tourist Fair. Designed by German artist HA Schult, the hotel, located in the city’s central Plaza de Callao, aims to raise awareness over pollution in the Med’s summer tourist resorts. 

“It shows the damage that we are causing to the sea and coast”, said Schult. “We live in an era of trash, and we run the risk of becoming trash.” Mexican beer brand Corona has also jumped on the campaign, giving competition winners the opportunity to spend the night in one of the hotel’s five bedrooms.

The International Tourist Fair has proved to boost further foreign interest in the flagging Spanish market, where real estate prices remain at record lows. However, a report conducted by Spanish property portal Kyero found that properties in the bargain lower end of the market (50,000 euro and below) saw an increase in enquiries.

Maybe time to look for  that bargain property in Tenerife or any of the Spanish islands?

By Angela | Posted in Economy, General, Holiday, Inspirational, Miscellaneous Articles, Property, Tenerife, Things to Do, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Adventure tourism on the increase

August 19, 2010 – 2:42 pm
adventure tourism in Tenerife, reaches from the beaches to Mount Teide

Adventure tourism in Tenerife, reaches from the beaches to Mount Teide

Adventure tourism, long considered  for the small group of dare devils, is becoming more mainstream, with tourists more likely to rappel down mountains, cycle or volunteer while on vacation.

These adventurers are young, affluent and spent $US89 billion ($US97 billion) last year, excluding the cost of airfare and gear, according to a study by researchers at George Washington University’s School of Business.

“You have a lot of people who want to roll up their sleeves, get involved in a culture and have a more authentic experience than just laying in the sun,” said Dr. Kristin Lamoureux, an author of the study, which was conducted with the Adventure Travel Trade Association, an industry group.

The researchers questioned 850 travellers from North and South America and Europe. Seventy percent of international travel originates in those regions. Countries with the most travellers are the United States, Argentina, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain.

Although overall tourism figures were down by 6 per cent in 2009, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the study showed that when people travel, they are more likely to engage in physical activities, providing a new revenue base for tour operators.

Based on their findings and data from the UNWTO, the researchers estimate that 150 million adventure trips will be taken next year.

“There is a perception that the adventure tourism market is a very limited group of people who are seeking high-risk activity, but the reality is that it’s a much broader market than we thought … and they are willing to spend,” Lamoureux said.

The typical adventure traveller was 36 years old, spent between $US450 ($A493) and $US800 per vacation, excluding airfare, and owned a passport, according to the researchers.

The biggest source of news for adventure tourists was their local newspaper and information found through Google and Facebook.

Most adventure travellers did not own cutting edge technology like iPhones, a crucial point, Lamoureux said, in helping tour operators maximize their advertising dollars, especially in times of recession.

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Zorro fans soon to be guests in Spain?

November 29, 2009 – 1:04 pm

 

Zorro fans soon to visit Spain?

Zorro fans soon to visit Spain?

Zorro fans could soon become guests of Antonio Banderas, spending the night at his Spanish vineyard in a new hotel – the Hollywood heartthrob is looking into opening a small hotel to encourage wine tourism to the area and help increase production.

The actor, who has starred in Hollywood hits such as The Mask of Zorro, Shrek and Philadelphia, bought a 50 per cent share in the vineyard in the famous Ribera del Duero wine area of northern Spain earlier this year. The vineyard was subsequently renamed Anta Banderas and the Spanish national clearly has big ideas to develop the business.

Speaking to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo Banderos said: ‘I have plans to revitalise this project with conferences, for example, on wine and literature, and I want to promote wine tourism. ‘In fact, we are studying the possibility of building a small hotel to welcome wine enthusiasts because it is a marvelous place.’

Visitors to the vineyard could soon spend their days touring the vines to learn more about the red and rose wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and local grape Tempranillo, before bedding down for the night à la Antonio.

If they’re lucky, they may even coincide with a visit from the 49-year-old star himself. The voice of Puss In Boots in the hit film Shrek already does his bit for promoting tourism to certain parts of Spain.

Every Easter he returns to his home city of Malaga to take part part in the traditional religious marches through the streets, attracting scores of adoring fans. His wife Melanie Griffith is even well-known enough referred to by Spaniards simply as ‘La Melanie’.

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