steviedeluxe

(article in Spanish)

http://aviaciondigitalglobal.com/not...&NotDesignId=4

The numbers of international tourists visiting Spain has increased by 4.5% in July, with the Balearics, Catalunya, Andalucia and Valencia regions seeing the biggest influx. Even the numbers coming from the UK has increased (by 1%).

HBG

What I've seen with my own eyes, is the increase in the number of Spanish holidaymakers to my area of the Costa. Some are making their way home this weekend, mostly to Madrid, and there are millions of them.

jojojojojo

Thats exactly what I've seen too!!! I've been down to Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Torremolinos over the summer a fair bit and each time its been heaving and the majority of people are Spanish!! One day, we were on an extremely busy Benalmadena beach and I think we were the only British there and the Spanish do like their parasols, we could barely move for them!!!! A distinct lack of Brits, but a few scandinavian, germans, belgiuns........... I think (not sure on languages lol)!!

But yes, it does seem that tourism is alive and kicking again

Jo xxx

steviedeluxe

There are loads of European tourists (including a fair number of Spanish) here in London too.

johnnyone

I had a meeting on the south side of Tower Bridge last week and had to fight my way across. It was like leaving a football match! All nationalities.
Great views though.

dooper

Coastal Spain hasnt had any appeal for me for many years.

The grubby strip of cheap Eeenglish bars,the over crowding and overbuilding,the timeshare touts....no,id rather stay home or go elsewhere.

agoreira

Agree, go elsewhere is my solution, stay well away from the dreaded coastal strip. You don't have to go far from the coast to find a more pleasing part of Spain. There's a lot of big, empty spaces out there. Mind you, I'm all for the Benidorms/Torrevieja/Fuengirola etc, they suit the needs of millions and leave the interior less crowded! Has to be good! If you do feel the need for the coast, try Costa de la Luz, it still has a few years before it goes the way of the rest. Hopefully CDL can see the mess they have made of the rest of the coasts and learn from that, but I'm not holding my breath.

jackytoo

According to bits of news coming out this week there were more tourists but mainly spanish. As with all spanish stats they provide conflicting results. One article said more tourists but they are staying for fewer nights, another said that sun-lounger hire was down 25%. What they need to get back is the year round visitors instead of wham bang July and August. Unemployment rose in August as the lay-offs began at the end of the month after the season. There is no way I would take a beach holiday anywhere in Europe during August.

There was an article in Sur yesterday saying they need to get the British to come back.........anyone read the comments below

jackytoo

I think the windy weather will protect the costa de la luz from turning into the CDS. Also it's not close to an international airport. Some parts have some ugly developments though.

EsuriJohn

Aymonte is only 35 mins from Faro International. i would not want to be much closer to a noisy place like an airport.

jackytoo

Yes that's true but then it has some ugly developments. I was thinking more about the area around Tarifa, Vejer from a tourist point of view as they are a long drive from an international airport. The rise of Torremolinos etc. was because the average tourist likes to be on a bus and in a Hotel within half an hour or so.

HBG

The remaining Madrilenos go home this weekend and when I have to go into town I will be able to find a parking space. I've got nothing against Madrilenos, but they're a noisy lot and hog the beaches. And they don't go to bed until the early hours.

I've seen very few British holidaymakers this year, perhaps they've all gone to Turkey.

Lenox

I expect that if you are in a tourist-related business, then you look for 'more spending' rather than 'more punters'. If you are merely a resident looking for some peace (and room on the beach), then you might agree that 'fewer but richer' is better than 'more but poor'.

agoreira

You mean one's like this? I notice the one about knocking down Brit houses had a Brit name!

EsuriJohn

Jerez has lost some flights but I am sure sure they will come back. There is a ban on high rise on the CDL so no Benidorm here.