The Tertiary Sector in Spain: Trade, Transport, and Tourism

The Tertiary Sector in Spain

Trade

Commercial activity in Spain is one of the most important activities in the Spanish economy, both for its contribution to the country's wealth (32.3%) and its number of workers (almost 3 million people).

More than 95% of trade companies have less than 10 employees, but these small companies employ almost half of the sector's workers. For products, the most important sectors are food, beverages, and tobacco.

In foreign trade, Spain has traditionally had a negative trade balance because it imported more than it exported. However, this trend has changed in recent years. The countries with which Spain carries out the most commercial exchanges are countries from the EU. Spain imports oil, agricultural, metallic, and mineral products, and exports manufactured goods, agricultural products, minerals, and metals.

Transport

The transport network is denser in the most populated areas (Catalonia, Madrid). The situation of each type of transport is as follows:

• Road Transport Network

  The road transport network has a radial configuration, centered in Madrid.

• The Railway

  The railway also has a radial configuration. High-speed rail lines (AVE) have been developed significantly in the last decades.

• Maritime Transport

  Maritime transport is essential for trade with other countries. The largest port for container traffic is Algeciras Bay (Cádiz).

• Airports

  The main Spanish airports are Madrid, Barcelona, and Palma de Mallorca.

Tourism

Tourism is a fundamental economic activity in Spain because it contributes almost 11% of GDP and 12% of employment. Spain occupies the second position in the world by entry of foreign visitors.

This privileged position is explained by several factors:

• The existence of excellent beaches and good infrastructures.
• The promotion of tourism carried out by the different Spanish governments.
• The cultural richness of Spain.

The traditional tourism has been the sun and beach tourism. But since the 1990s, a great effort has been made to develop other types of tourism, including: business, cultural, rural, health, and wellness.

The main touristic destinations are the communities of Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Canaries, Madrid, the Valencian Community, and Andalusia.