Spain Tourism: Key Areas, Development & Challenges

Tourist Areas in Spain

Importance of tourism: Tourism is a major economic driver for Spain, offsetting the balance of payments deficit. The tourism boom began in the mid-1950s, and the number of visitors has grown steadily since. Today, the Spanish economy is heavily reliant on tourism, with revenues equivalent to 30% of total exports. Without tourism, the country's economic growth would be significantly lower.

Factors in Spanish Tourism Development

Spain has always held a certain exotic appeal for educated Europeans, reinforced by its rich Arab culture, castles, and historical sites. Today, the attraction to Spain is mainly due to its climate, with dry summers, high temperatures, and abundant sunny days. The long coastline, scenic beauty, wealth of historical and artistic heritage, and price differences compared to other European countries also contribute. The private sector's ability to build hotels and services, along with improved public infrastructure, has also been crucial. However, legislation has struggled to prevent irreparable damage, such as coastal occupation and deforestation.

Typology of Tourist Areas

The number of accommodations allows us to classify the major tourist receiving areas. Coastal areas are the major attractions, particularly the sunniest ones. The Mediterranean coastline and the two archipelagos are the cornerstone of tourism in Spain. Economically important areas include the Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, Costa Azahar, Costa del Sol, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, and the Costa Calida. Less massive tourism, mostly of domestic origin, occurs in the Gulf of Cadiz, on the coast of Galicia, and the Cantabrian coast.

Historic towns and monuments are primarily located inland. Cities like Madrid and those in Castile are popular destinations. These sites are often visited for a day or a few hours by tourists staying on the coast.

Origin of Tourists

In 2001, over 75 million visitors entered Spain, with 50 million classified as tourists and the rest as hikers or day-trippers. Germany and the UK are the primary source countries, followed by France, Benelux, Italy, and Portugal. The economic impact of visitors depends on their purchasing power. There is also a segment of budget tourism.

Problems of Tourism in Spain

• Spatial Impact: Tourism is concentrated on the coast, widening the gap between the center and periphery in population density and income levels. New urban centers are developing in previously empty spaces.
• Environmental Impact: To increase attractiveness, some areas are being converted into gardens or golf courses, requiring significant water resources, often in water-scarce regions. Large buildings, maximizing floor space, can disrupt the landscape's beauty. Beach sizes are reduced due to construction close to the sea, despite the Coastal Act's attempts to prevent it.
• Seasonal Imbalances: This is a major problem, with tourism concentrated in the summer. The hotel industry is utilized to its maximum for only two to four months a year. Seasonality is due to weather, holiday periods, and a limited capacity to offer alternatives to sun and beach tourism. Winter tourism in the Canary Islands and Costa del Sol, winter sports tourism in Sierra Nevada and the Pyrenees, and trade and cultural tourism in cities are notable exceptions.