Spanish Tourism Numbers Rise to New Record

Spain offers a lot that attracts tourists there year after year. After a slump in the tourism figures during the economic crisis of a few years ago, Spain’s tourism minister has reported that 2013 and 2014 saw record highs in the numbers of people choosing Spain as their holiday destination. This boost in the tourism industry is great news for anyone looking at property for sale in Spain.

Record Numbers

Last year, between January and August, over 42 million tourists visited Spain. This was a 4.5 percent increase over the 2012 figures and the highest number since records began in 1995. The 2014 figures showed an even bigger jump, up 7.3 percent to a total of over 45 million visitors in the same eight month period.

Spain’s attraction as a tourist destination is easy to understand. With beautiful beaches, warm weather, fantastic culture, and an excellent exchange rate with the pound, it’s a top choice for British tourists. While the UK is the biggest source of tourists in Spain, France and Germany aren’t far behind. Staying within the continent is a popular choice for French and German tourists, who find the Spanish climate a major attraction.

Economic Boost

This increase in tourism is good news for the Spanish economy, for which tourism generally accounts for 11 percent. The increase in this sector also has a knock on effect for other industries.

One such area that is sure to benefit from the increased tourism is property values. With more tourists looking for places to stay, more holiday homes are being built. This return to construction of luxury Spanish property is also seeing a gradual rise in house prices after the recent slump.

The prices still remain relatively low, offering savvy tourists the chance to lock in a long term holiday home at a bargain price. Many British tourists visit for a holiday, only to find that they want to begin looking for property for sale in Spain. By investing in a holiday home, they are able to save money on accommodation costs for their visits to Spain. They can also benefit from offering their homes as holiday rentals.

Of course, making this sort of investment worthwhile, it is important to find a property through an experienced agent. Luxury Spanish property can be found at a great price, and an agent can help a buyer find the location and home that is right for them, whether it is to join the millions of returning Spanish tourists or as a place to retire down the line.