Record August drives up tourism employment in Spain as holidaymakers from Italy to the US flock to its sunny shores
- Spain is world’s third most visited country with 60.7 million annual visitors (WTO)
- Tourism-related employment up 3.8% (Ministry of Tourism)
- August visitor numbers at all-time high of 9 million (FRONTUR)
Spain is the world’s third most visited country, according to figures from the World Tourism Organization, and with everything on offer from beautiful beaches to delicious cuisine, there’s no questioning why that is. According to FRONTUR – The Inbound Tourism Survey Spain welcomed some 60.7 million visitors in 2013, up 5.6% on the year before.
2014 looks on track to be another fantastic year for the Spanish tourism sector, with August figures from FRONTUR showing a record month. Visitor numbers in August reached 9,070,024 – the highest figure since the FRONTUR surveys began and an increase of 8.8% on the previous year.
What is particularly interesting is the origin of the visitors. While the UK remains top of the table when it comes to visitor origin, with 2,136,879 in August, followed by France and Germany (with 1,981,643 and 1,290,777 respectively), the countries showing the largest growth were the US, Portugal and Italy.
Visitors from the US increased by 35.4% during August, according to the FRONTUR figures, while those from Portugal increased by 24.4% and from Italy by 15.5%. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which has been satisfying overseas holiday home owners for years with its stunning housing developments, comments,
“We see a true mix of international visitors here in Spain. While the UK, German and French markets remain strong, it’s good to see that Spain’s appeal continues to widen, adding to the diversity of those who visit its sunny shores.
“Spain itself is a country of vast contrasts, from landscapes to cuisine, so it seems fitting that those who visit it should also be from contrasting countries and backgrounds. Of course for many one visit just isn’t enough and many look to Taylor Wimpey España to provide them with a fantastic holiday home that they can enjoy time and again.”
Taylor Wimpey España’s brand new La Vila Paradís apartments and townhouses typify the kind of properties that overseas visitors are demanding. With an enviable beachfront location at Villajoyosa, the gated development boasts swimming pools, private parking and communal gardens. Buyers at La Vila Paradís can opt for two or three bedroom apartments, or three bedroom townhouses. All enjoy well thought out layouts, with beautiful views over the Paraíso Beach and sea. Prices start at €265,000.
Such properties are increasingly popular with those visiting Spain on a regular basis. The FRONTUR data revealed that while those staying in hotels in August increased by 4% (and accounted for 53.7% of total visitors), the 46.3% of visitors who stayed in non-hotel accommodation increased far more sharply – by 15%.
With such a strong month for tourism in August, employment in Spain has seen a marked benefit. Figures from the Ministry of Tourism show an increase of 3.8% during the month for the tourism sector, putting the total of those employed across the sector at 2.15 million. It’s a win win situation – Spain is opening up to new markets and attracting growing numbers of visitors from an increasing range of countries while building a strong economic foundation for its own future. Something for which future generations of Spanish citizens will no doubt be most grateful.
For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.