Spanish Islands Stop 2008 Tourism Slump
Posted by business | travelling | Posted on May 25th, 2010
In a recent survey by one of the UK’s leading retail, holiday and banking groups, Spain looks set to remain a favourite destination for British holidaymakers this year, even though other destinations are proving to be cheaper as the Euro – the currency used by Spain – has increased in value against the British Pound, making Spanish holidays considerably more expensive this year than last.
Until official figures are out, controversy will reign in the travel world with some travel agents claiming that countries who don’t have the Euro, such as Turkey, will draw more visitors than Spain this year, while the travel agents own trade organisation say Spain is still number one for British holidaymakers, with the Scottish people especially still choosing Spain above anywhere else.
Holidays in Spain have been popular since the advent of jet travel made overseas holidays possible for the masses, and turned small villages like Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol into the concrete jungle it is today – the worst excesses of tourism are over now thankfully, and the Spanish authorities have strict controls on what can and can’t be built in popular holiday resorts along the Spanish coasts.
Tenerife is a prime example of how tourism has changed a holiday destination. From the 1960’s onwards Tenerife became a popular destination with winter holidays becoming much more in vogue due to the island’s all year round good climate, allowing Tenerife’s tourist industry to prosper with year round tourism compared to some areas that have a six month season.
New hotels and housing developments were built without much thought for the environment, but now Tenerife has introduced planning rules that will protect her from future excesses.
The island was once a premier holiday hot spot amongst the elite, but a lack of investment caused it to fade off the holiday destination map. Now, with local leaders pushing for new strategies, Tenerife is making a comeback as the place to be when you want the perfect holiday.
Another Spanish holiday island that is doing well despite talk of a recession is Majorca – popular with European holidaymakers for over 50 years now, and still attracting new and returning tourists who might have been able to get a cheaper destination from their travel agency.
Also known as Mallorca, the island really started to develop as a tourist hot spot as far back as the 1920s. Today, Mallorca sees more than six million visitors each year, yet ninety-five percent of vacationers concentrate in only five percent of its territory. Mallorca is known as the Mediterranean Lady and it offers a little something for everyone.
Like Tenerife, Mallorca is good for year round holidays, but the travel industry has only started winter offers releatively late compared to Tenerife.
Many people actually prefer the slower paced winter holidays to the hustle and bustle of the busy summer holiday season. Temperatures in the winter season range from 6 degrees Celsius (42 degrees Fahrenheit) to 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit). These mild temperatures help make Mallorca the perfect wintertime destination for those who enjoy cooler temperatures and mild winter weather – after all not everyone wants to spend their holidays just sunbathing, though plenty do!
Water sports and golf are very popular in Majorca, and Majorca golf holidays in themselves are a niche travel market. Some local businesses offer dive or boat tours and diving lessons for those who prefer the Mediterranean to dry land. Diving in the Med is an experience like no other. Some species of tropical fish and marine life exist only in this temperate climate. Crystal clear waters offer a great viewing distance. Local businesses also offer boat and water craft rentals for those who wish to explore the open sea on their own.
Mallorca has a very colourful history dating back to the Paleolithic period. It has been under Roman, Byzantine and Spanish rule, and outside of the peak summer months is an ideal time for those interested in culture, art and history to visit the island.
Museums in various villages on Mallorca showcase a wide variety of artefacts from each period of the island’s history. The official spoken languages on Mallorca are Catalan and Spanish, but many Mallorcans are becoming fluent in English and German as well, knowing that the tourist industry plays a major part in the island’s economy.
Majorca and Tenerife might be a little more expensive this year, but it seems people are willing to pay the price.
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i don’t remember jordan ever looking like that.
it’s so cool it looks like Africa and Airazona.
a great destination
Your question doesn't make any sense.
Without tourism, you would not have to look at fat, ugly people in shorts and white socks, running around proving to everyone that tourists can only speak AmeriKan and KNOW that if you YELL in someone's face, they will immediately understand AmreiKan.
They also forget how to drive.
I used to have a bumper sticker that said: "WHEN I GO ON VACATION I AM COMING TO YOUR TOWN SO I CAN DRESS FUNNY AND DRIVE LIKE A MORON."
ayyyee! my name is jordan
i own the land
That country is the definitionof beautiful..x the video was cool…x id like to go there next year after my A levels.
jordan is such a great great country!! but ya 3ami it’s chooooooooooooooobbb!
i missu jordan
jordan is the best country ever!!!!!!
jordan first
CIRCULAR FLOW: Foreign tourists spend money and that money generates higher incomes, which is then spent by individuals on more products and services, meaning more income for businesses, meaning higher incomes, etc.
IMPORTS? Tourism money acts more like exports than imports, since a country is selling its resources (natural beauty) and services (hotels, restaurants) in return for foreign money.
Hi, spa packages are actually getting popular nowadys. Not just the usual spa, people are going more for the holistic and healing spas programs. Key aim of the packages should be targeting relaxation, wellness and health. You did not say where you are located, so I will not be able to offer much.
But take a look at how this is done, like in Thailand. There are spas in hotels and packages offered cover the rooms, spa treatment and dietary health advice. This can be a 1-day, 2-day or even 3-day packages. So the guests gets pampered without having to leave the comfort of the hotel or resort room.
Standalone spa may be a bit difficult as you can only offer the treatment. Try to have a nearby accommodation tied in for a total package deal.
A check on the prices shows that such spa stay cost from between US$100 up to US$500 a day, depending on the location and hotel/resort status.
I guess it will be good if you can try and experience it for yourself. Take a trip to Thailand for one of these packages.
Travel locally. Flying is one of the biggest producers of green house gases. And yes, Al Gore that includes you.
PS: Icon MC what oil company do you work for?
Tourism has increased immensely with now flights to Antartica from Sydney, you do have the chance to land but mostly you just fly over and look.
Interesting video!
The cost of our health care is far too high. Even a falling dollar cannot make us competitive with countries like India and Thailand.
ah yes zatarzz i know you miss me
Tiger balm in Singapore.
I work with communities in developing tourism. The single biggest factor:
Whether or not the community sees tourism as an economic driver… takes it seriously. Community understanding and buy-in regarding the benefits of tourism is essential to development of the industry. Are they willing to commit financial and human resources to assist in developing the destination…
Political will by local politicians to take tourism seriously is essential. So many communities see tourism as a "last resort" (no pun intended!) and are still chasing smokestacks rather than dedicating time and energy to developing tourism.
Once this happens, obstacles can be addressed and the destination can build a plan to develop products to position themselves to attract desired markets.
i love jordan and usa