Hotel Bookings down 2.1% in August

Overnight stays in hotels in Spain registered a decline of 2.1% in August, despite the record increase in the number of foreign visitors. 40.8 million bookings were made in the eighth month of the year, which was 2.1% less than the same period of 2011, due to the fall in domestic demand.

The 3.5% rise in overnight stays by foreign tourists could not compensate for the 10% decrease in those made by residents, the National Statistics Institute reported on Monday.

Last month, the average stay was four nights per traveller, with a rise of 1.1%, despite the 0.8% annual increase in the Hotel Price Index, which took the revenue per occupied room to an average value of 84.6 euros (2.8 euros more than last year) and revenue per available room to 59.7 euros (0.4 euros more).

In August, 70.7% of the places available were booked, which was 2.6% less than a year earlier, while weekend occupancy was 72.6%, down 3.6%.

Foreign tourists accounted for 25.25 million of the overnight stays in August, compared with 15.56 million made by Spanish residents. The United Kingdom and Germany lead the ranking, with more than 12.5 million stays in August, making up 49.6% of the total, and Russia has now become the fifth source market, with a 29.7% increase in overnight stays, and 6.1% of the total.

El Pais reported that the Balearic Islands were confirmed as the main destination chosen by non-residents, with an increase of 4.5% compared to August 2011, followed by Catalonia (+6.4%) and the Canary Islands (+0.3%).

Travellers resident in Spain mostly chose to go to Andalusia, Valencia and Catalonia, although these regions recorded year-on-year declines in overnight stays of 6.9%, 4.7% and 11.9%, respectively.

Article source: Kyero.com

IVA changes in the pipeline

Rajoy speaking to the General Assembly of Employers’ associations

Mariano Rajoy’s government are preparing a package of anti-crisis reforms which will include an increase in sales tax (IVA).

Tax agency sources revealed that they are discussing an increase in IVA which was demanded by the European Commission and International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, the first step is to move some products that are currently subject to a reduced rate into the general 18% band.

On Monday Rajoy said that more “difficult” economic measures would be coming “soon” and are needed in order to “grow and create employment”.

He didn’t say much more and didn’t reveal details but tax agency sources confirmed the government is revising a list of products that attract reduced rates of four and eight per cent. This would increase state income from IVA by applying the full 18% to more items.

At present 18% IVA is applied to the majority of consumer goods and services. The prime minister is reluctant to increase the general rate (he slammed the two per cent hike introduced by Zapatero in 2010) as he fears heavy criticism as well as a slump in consumer spending.

The EU suggested expanding the top band without formally increasing the rates would be a good way to increase income without a general increase. This is more a lesson in semantics. Call it “expand” rather than “increase” and the public backlash will be reduced. Interesting politics.

Some of the items that currently enjoy a reduced rate of 8% include some food products, glasses and contacts, catering and tourism, cultural events, newspapers, hairdressing, funeral services and certain health and farming equipment.

The further reduced rate of 4% is applied to products considered as basic essentials, such as bread, milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables, cheese, books, medicines, and ‘protected’ housing.

Rajoy warned that there are more “difficult” measures to come during his speech to the General Assembly of the CEOE, the Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organisations.

Rajoy provided no further details as to what is to come. However, experts suggest that measures could affect public administration, public sector salaries, pensions and possibly unemployment benefits.

Some experts predict worse things to come in Spain if the government move tourism into the 18% band. Many parts of the country depend on tourists and worry that any increase could seriously damage the sector.

Spain in Figures 2012

Spain in Figures 2012

The National Institute of Statistics have released their annual publication Spain in Figures.

The document is designed to give interested parties a general and updated perspective of Spain. This publication is informative and direct, and provides statistical information regarding Spain and its status in Europe.

Spain in Figures contains information relating to population, health care, employment, industry, energy and more and gives a great insight.

For those who don’t have time to read the complete report (58 pages) here are some points that I found interesting.

• In 2009 Spain produced 8% of the total air pollution in the EU. 25.7% of that was generated by transport.
• 2011 was the warmest year in Spain for 40 years with an average temperature of 16°C.
• In 2009 Spain generated 24.8 million tonnes of urban waste, 5.9% less than in 2008.
• On January 1^st 2011, The population of Spain stood at 47.2 million.
• 12.2% of the population registered in Spain in 2011 was foreign, this figure reaching 5.7 million persons, 0.1% more than the previous year.
• 62,611 Spaniards moved abroad in 2011.
• In 2011 Spain received a total of 56.7 million international tourists, representing an interannual increase of 7.6%.

You can download the report in chapters, or in one document, from the INE website: Spain in Figures 2012

Tourism down in April but up for the year

Spain saw 4.5 million tourists in April

According to the latest report from Frontur, Spain received 4.5 million tourists in April, 1.7% fewer than the same month in 2011.

Despite the fall in April the first four months of 2012 saw 13.7 million visitors visit Spain, representing a 1.1% annual increase.

Of the total tourists in April over 3.5 million of them arrived by air and three million stayed in hotels.

The majority of tourists were from Britain and the Nordic regions, whilst the number of French and German tourists also increased. However, the number of Britons arriving fell following two months of increases.

Just over one million tourists were British, yet this was 13% fewer than in the same month last year, showing that Brits are sacrificing their foreign holidays in favour of cheaper English holidays which are being heavily promoted on English television.

By region  Catalonia and Madrid were the only ones to see an increase. All other regions registered a fall in tourist numbers with the largest fall being in Valencia which saw 17.6% fewer tourists.

The number of package holidays also declined in April recording a fall of -1.9%.

The figures are similar to those of April 2009. The figures for 2010 and 2011 were unreliable as they were distorted by a few factors. In 2010 huge numbers of flights were cancelled across Europe due to the Icelandic volcano, and in 2011 the so-called “Arab Spring” saw many people choosing Spain over Turkey and Egypt.

You can see Frotur’s full report here: Nota de coyuntura de Frontur. Abril 2012.

Huge numbers attend Fitur 2012 in Madrid

Over 200,000 visitors this year

Madrid hosted the annual International Tourism and Trade Fair (FITUR) last weekend and this years event was a great success, attracting more than 200,000 visitors.

The fair was inaugurated by the Prince and Princess of Asturias, Don Felipe de Borbon and Doña Letizia Ortiz.

Organisers said there were more attendees and exhibitors than last year with 10,100 companies presenting their products from 167 countries.

Representatives from troubled Egypt and Tunisia were in attendance keen to woo back the tourists lost following recent uprisings and violence. Japanese officials were also in attendance as part of efforts to revive the tourism industry following the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Tourist numbers in Japan had fallen 29% by November.

Officials from Tunisia said they had lost most of their Spanish trade following last years troubles.

“We have lost 30 to 40 percent of tourists. The Spanish market is the one that has caused us the most difficulties. It has fallen 60 percent”, they explained, adding that this is because many Spanish tourists have instead chosen to visit the Canary Islands or Turkey.

Based in Madrid, the United Nations World Tourism Organization said on Monday that “tourist numbers across Europe surged in 2011 as conflicts drove many tourists away from the Middle East and North Africa.”

We are Andalucías greatest host, apparently.

Andalucia's campaign is launched

The Junta de Andalucia is launching a new advertising campaign to attract tourists to the region.

As part of the 380,000 euro campaign entitled “El mejor anfitrión de Andalucía eres tú” (You are Andalucía’s greatest host), heads of tourism are calling on residents to promote the area as a favourite tourist destination. Spain was recently highlighted as the number one destination for European holiday makers (source: SkyScanner.com).

The campaign, launched this week, will run until February 5th and will include television and radio ads, along with billboards and internet advertising – a Facebook page will be launched on January 23rd to allow people to recommend local attractions or places of interest with prizes awarded to the most popular recommendations. The warmth and hospitality of the coastal area is well known and it is this welcoming attitude that the Junta wish to take advantage of, and to remind locals of the value tourism brings to the area.

The Junta’s tourism councillor, Luciano Alonso, said “No one can sing the praises [of Andalucía] as enthusiastically as someone who lives here”.

This new campaign, in part inspired by the “Andalucía es tu casa” (Andalucia is your home) campaign which ran a few years ago, also aims to remind residents of the possibilities for a ‘staycation’ on the coast.

Sr Luciano went on to say that in Andalucía “we are all tourism”, and he stressed the importance of the tourism industry which represents more than 10% of the regional GDP.

“This campaign invites all citizens to join in promoting the region, putting thousands of voices and faces to the image of Andalucía,” he said.

I have lived here for almost eight years now and I haven’t been “on holiday” in all that time. Why would I? Here, I have the sun, the beach, warm Mediterranean Sea, great food, great sights, and great people. Marbella attracts millions of visitors each year and I really don’t think the Junta, at a time of severe austerity, need to be spending this money. Tourists will still come without it, they always have and they always will.

Holiday makers want more than just a break

Spanish culture attracts tourists

Many people buy a property in Spain with the intention of renting it out to holiday makers and while this market is staying afloat it is changing and property owners need to adapt.

This is the opinion of the founder of Campaya Holiday Rentals, Claus Pedersen. He claims that many properties in Spain are set up for tourists who want a standard two-week holiday on the coast, but he added that travellers’ priorities are changing.

He commented that catering for the rental market “may not be enough to make your property stand out and attract the more niche-minded tourist”.

Campaya noted that cultural tourism is on the increase with many travellers more keen than ever to learn about the area in which they are staying and to have a more authentic or traditional experience.

The organisation has advised anyone considering purchasing a property to let in Spain to try and cater for more than just one demographic.

With so many properties for rent on the coast it is important to remember that if you’re property isn’t exactly right, the holiday maker will have a huge choice of other properties that may be. If you want your rental property to be rented then it must be attractive for the holiday maker – not just in terms of size but location, facilities and of course price.

Tourists continue spending in Andalucía

Tourists continue to arrive at Malaga

Following a record October for tourism numbers new figures released by central government this week show tourists spend an average of 732 million euros each month in Andalucía.

Up to and including October the total for 2011 currently stands at 7.3 billion euros showing an increase of 4.3% over the same period in 2010. The total spending for Spain for the same period currently sits at 47 billion euros.

Andalucia is at the top of the list of all Spanish coastal destinations and nationally is second only to Madrid for tourist revenue. Up to October tourists spent an average of 1,016€ during their holiday with an average daily spend of 90€.

Octobers figures contributed to the increase after a record month for tourism showed a 12% rise over 2010, 4% higher than the national increase. In October tourists spent 711 million euros in Andalucía which represents 15% of the total for all of Spain. The average spend for tourists during October was 956€ and the daily average was almost 100€ which was almost 10% higher than the same month last year. The central government has suggested that these results are in part due to an increase in British tourists.

Andalucía’s regional councillor for Tourism, Commerce and Sport, Luciano Alonso, said that “the region has recorded the best increase in income from international tourists ever for the January to October period, greater even that the increase in 2007, before the crisis set in”.

He also pointed out that this years tourism had so far brought Andalucía approximately 300 million euros more than during the same period of 2010. Only Andalucía and Madrid have surpassed an average 1,000 euros per tourist.

A recent Frontur survey indicated that there had been a 9.9% increase in international tourists visits to Andalucía during October and Alonso said that the new figure confirmed this. The British market added an extra 57,000 tourists to the numbers for the month.

A record October for tourism

Tourists still flock to Spain

The tourist trade in Spain continued to flourish throughout October with record numbers visiting the country.

Spain received 5.19 million tourists in October. This shows an increase of 8% from October last year and is also the largest October figure recorded.

The report, released by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce showed that Andalucía received 750,000 foreign tourists, showing a 9.9 per cent increase over October 2010.

Added to the yearly totals these figures show a year-to-date total of 50.9 million foreign visitors to Spain. This is an increase of 8% from the same period last year. Andalucía received 7.2 million visitors, a 7% increase.

Andalucía’s tourism chief, Luciano Alonso, said the figures were “particularly positive” and the resurgence of UK tourist arrivals in October continued the trend seen throughout the summer.

It seems that Spain is still the number one choice for holiday makers across Europe and the busy tourist trade is continuing well into the winter months.

Tourist board introduces “Living Costa del Sol”

The president of the Tourism Board of the Costa del Sol, Elías Bendodo, attended the World Travel Market (WTM) in London to present a new brand under the title “Living Costa del Sol”, the aim of which is to attract more British tourists and property buyers to help relieve the stock of more than 30,000 unsold homes available in the region.

Bendodo explained that the initiative, which involves banks, home-owners and insurers, aims to increase property sales to the British market to boost the economy and to clear the surplus of unsold property, a result of many years of development. The scheme aims to encourage buyers by putting guarantees in place for the legality of properties.

“The Costa del Sol is a tourist destination open all year and we are the first choice destination for many British travellers. There is a large number of Brits who are already permanent residents in Spain”, Bendodo said.

The head of the tourism board confirmed that “After a difficult 2010, in 2011 we have noticed an increase in visitor numbers from the UK which is essential for us as it means more passengers pass through the airport, higher occupancy in hotels and tourism spending.” adding that the initiative also aimed ”to promote economic recovery and improve our tourism industry, which contributes between 12% and 14% of provincial GDP”.

The scheme was created “to convince British tourists to relocate their permanent home to the Costa del Sol, where they can live the dream.” However, the plan also involves promoting the region to the German, Scandinavian, Italian and French markets.

Elías Bendodo said his presence at the WTM was “to work, to innovate, to promote, to search for and invite tourists to the Costa del Sol, an all year destination.”