Evolution and Transformation of Spanish Tourism
1. Traditional Tourism Model (1960s)
Introduced as “sun and sand” tourism, this model focused on a large volume of budget travelers, primarily targeting beaches. External factors contributing to its rise include post-war economic growth in Western and Northern Europe, leading to a larger middle class with disposable income for leisure. Internal factors include Spain’s proximity to European markets, excellent natural resources (especially beaches), cultural attractions, low costs due to currency devaluation, existing infrastructure, and government policies promoting Spain as a tourist destination.
2. Crisis of the Traditional Model
Despite increasing tourist arrivals, the traditional model faced challenges. Prices rose due to inflation and wage increases, without a corresponding improvement in quality. New competing destinations emerged, offering alternative attractions.
3. Transition to a New Model (1985 onwards)
Spain’s entry into the European Community in 1986, growth in domestic tourism, and a shift towards a quality-focused model marked a turning point. This new model caters to a more diverse, discerning clientele with higher purchasing power, distributed across various tourism forms and locations. Key factors include improved service quality and infrastructure, diversification of offerings showcasing Spain’s cultural and natural resources, government promotion of quality tourism, and a focus on environmental sustainability.
4. Characteristics of Spanish Tourism
4.1. Tourist Offer
Spain offers a wide range of services for tourists, including product vendors (tourism promoters and offices) and facilities catering to accommodation, dining, and leisure. Accommodation options are diverse, concentrated along the Mediterranean coast, Iberian Peninsula, Balearic and Canary Islands. Leisure services include sports facilities, recreational parks, water activities, golf, and riding clubs.
4.2. Tourist Demand
Initially dominated by foreign tourists, demand has diversified.
- Foreign Demand: Primarily from Western and Northern Europe (British, German, French, Italian, Nordic countries, Holland, Belgium, Portugal), concentrated in summer and focused on sun and beach destinations like Catalonia, Balearic and Canary Islands.
- Domestic Demand: Mainly from Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia, and Valencia, distributed throughout the year with peaks during summer, Easter, and long weekends.
- Seasonality: A major challenge, with demand concentrated during summer holidays (except for ski resorts and Canary Islands), leading to overcrowding, quality issues, and environmental concerns.
5. Types of Tourism
- Coastal Tourism: The dominant form, focused on beaches and sun, with opportunities for water sports and fishing. Thermal spa tourism is also gaining popularity.
- Mountain Tourism: Primarily linked to skiing, but also includes hiking and other activities.
- Rural Tourism: Involves accommodation and experiences in rural settings, including traditional agricultural activities and visits to agricultural museums.
- Ecotourism: Focuses on natural attractions, particularly national parks, nature reserves, and historical sites.
- Urban Tourism: Cultural tourism centered on cities with historical, artistic, or cultural significance, often World Heritage Sites. Business tourism related to fairs, exhibitions, conferences, and festivals is also growing.
6. Tourist Areas
These are spaces with high tourist influx, both domestic and international. Tourist spots are often isolated locations linked to specific attractions like ski resorts, rural retreats, or historical towns.
6.1. High-Density Tourist Areas
- Sun and Beach Areas: Balearic and Canary Islands, and the peninsular Mediterranean coast, attract significant tourism due to favorable climate and beaches. They differ in accessibility, spatial organization (integration with existing settlements or dedicated tourist zones), and accommodation types (hotels versus other options).
- Madrid: As the capital, Madrid attracts year-round tourism, offering cultural attractions, hotels, and business tourism related to fairs, exhibitions, and conferences.
6.2. Medium and Low-Density Tourist Areas
- Mediterranean and Atlantic Coasts: Less crowded coastal areas offer alternatives to traditional sun and beach destinations.
- Galician and Cantabrian Coasts: Coastal and inland areas with natural landscapes and rural tourism.
- Tourist Spots: Resorts, rural tourism centers, and historical cities, popular for short breaks and leisure trips.
7. Spatial Impact of Tourism
- Demographic Impact: Increased employment in tertiary and construction sectors in coastal areas. Reduced depopulation in rural areas and historical towns.
- Settlement Impact: New infrastructure and population growth in coastal areas, sometimes leading to high-density construction and land speculation. Rehabilitation of built heritage in some rural, mountain, and urban areas.
- Political, Cultural, and Sociological Impact: Tourism promotes interaction between communities, influences local lifestyles, and impacts residents’ quality of life.
- Land Use Impact: Changes in environment and landscape in coastal areas, economic shifts, and conflicts over land and resource use. Conflicts with other activities in rural and mountain areas. Specialization of historic centers in tourist activities.
- Environmental Impact: Uncontrolled urbanization and construction in natural spaces.
8. Transformations in Domestic Trade
Recent changes in supply and demand have been described as a “commercial revolution.”
- Changes in Demand: Increased purchasing power, diversification of clientele (aging population, immigration), dispersion of consumers in suburban homes, reduced purchase frequency, increased female workforce participation, and availability of refrigerators and freezers.
- Changes in Commerce: Diversification of products, new distribution channels (self-service, supermarkets), and utilization of new technologies for improved business operations and payment methods.