Spain’s Global Tourism Powerhouse: Development and Regional Focus
1. Evolution of Spanish Tourism
Defining Tourism and Spain’s Global Position
Tourism is the displacement of persons for purposes of recreation for a period longer than 24 hours; there are multiple modalities.
Spain provides a wide variety of tourism types, although the best known is sun and beach tourism, which has become a major global tourist power, both in the number of visitors it receives (70 million annually) and the income it generates.
Historical Interest in Spain (18th & 19th Centuries)
From the eighteenth century, especially during the nineteenth century, numerous travelers visited Spain. They were impressed by:
- The diversity offered by nature.
- The exotic landscapes reminiscent of Africa.
- Its architectural heritage and culture.
Their writings generated great interest in learning about Spain.
Factors Driving Consolidation (1960s)
The consolidation of Spain as a tourist destination dates back to the 1960s, driven by both external and internal factors:
- External causes: The evolution of European society after World War II.
- Internal causes: Spain’s geographical location, its extensive coastline, climate, gastronomy, etc.
2. Models and Types of Tourism
Sun and Beach Tourism
This model was established in the 1960s and is based on offering services to customers with medium-low purchasing power, who are housed in hotels and apartments in sun and sand areas. The main sending countries are the EU members, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
Alternative Tourism Strategies
The crisis necessitated a model renewal with the following objectives:
- To promote quality tourism.
- To improve supply.
- To reduce dependence on international tour operators.
3. Major Tourist Areas and Regional Specialization
Mediterranean Dominance
The prominence of Mediterranean communities in tourism is evident, accounting for 70% of total hotel rooms in Spain.
Catalonia
Catalonia is the main tourist area. Leisure services are reinforced by the proximity of Barcelona. Highlights include the Costa Dorada and Tarragona (Salou).
Valencia
Tourist space is distributed unevenly. Highlights include the Costa Blanca, which is divided into the northern section (La Marina) and the southern section (Torrevieja).
Murcia
Tourism specialization is less pronounced. Highlights include La Manga.
Andalusia
Andalusia has experienced significant growth in coastal tourism over the last 10 years, reaching 3rd place in hotel accommodation.
Atlantic and Interior Regions
Galicia
Galicia does not cater to mass tourism motivations. It offers numerous natural and historical resources.
Interior Autonomous Communities (CCAA)
Madrid stands out due to its role as the administrative capital. Other significant locations include Salamanca (over 5,000 beds) and Toledo (4,700 beds). Winter resorts are particularly important in Granada (Sierra Nevada).
4. Tourism and Environmental Sustainability
Tourism relies on the existence of natural and cultural resources. However, historically, tourism planning strategies often failed to adequately address the environmental impact of the activity. Consequences included the construction of large blocks of apartments and hotels, uncontrolled urbanization, and beach pollution.
Since the 1980s, environmental impact assessments have been mandatory for projects. This has led to the creation of protected natural areas and limitations on construction to promote a better tourism image and improve the quality of life for the resident population.