Early indications are that Andalucía in general and the Costa del Sol in particular will see at least a 5% increase in German tourist numbers. That is the verdict experts reached at the ITB Tourism Fair in Berlin. Residential tourism is part of this increase, following a greater demand for Spanish real estate. Property hotspots like Mallorca, Ibiza and Marbella at the Costa del Sol have all seen increases in house sales – and this year their proud new owners will come on as many holidays as they can manage to take possession of their new home-from-home.
Susana Díaz, the President of the Junta de Andalucía, was present on the opening day of the fair and showed her delight at the forecast for German tourist numbers this year.
In 2015, Andalucía recorded almost a 5% increase in visitors from Germany, but this year there has already been a 12% increase on bookings, compared with the same period last year. While there may be a discrepancy between figures, according to what source one talks to at the fair, all major tour operators such as TSS Group and FTI have had to increase their capacity for holiday destinations in Spain because of greater demand.
Defining what appeals especially to German Tourists
“We have come to the ITB with two things in mind: to discover new trends and products which are popular with German tourists and to promote Andalucía as a holiday destination par excellence. We offer a very extensive variety of different facilities and this is what visitors require, so we have the potential for enormous growth,” Susana Díaz said.
President Díaz highlighted the importance of the German tourism market for her region, pointing to the fact that Germans are the world’s third best “big spenders”, when it comes to holiday expenditure. She recalled how 2015 had not been a particularly good year for German tourism in Spain. Even the traditional hot spots chosen by one-third of German holidaymakers coming to Andalucía, Malaga City and the Costa del Sol, saw less German visitors in 2015.
In 2015, Andalucía welcomed 1.2 million tourists from Germany, a 4.8% increase compared to 2014. On average, Germans stayed for 11.3 in 2015, a similar result to 2014, but still 2.6% above the national average. Overall, the region recorded 3.8 million overnight stays by German tourists, a small increase of 0.6% compared to 2014. Last year, 800,721 Germans chose to stay in hotels, a growth rate of 3.1% compared to the previous year. Overall, Spain saw a fall of German visitors last year though.
The Secret of remaining appealing to a loyal Market
The sector has seen considerable loyalty from German holidaymakers over the decades, a good indication that things will look up again for 2016.
“I am convinced that the figures this year will be higher than last year. Germany is a great ally in terms of tourism and a key market towards our aim of achieving 30 million tourists during this legislature,” stressed President Díaz.
More direct Flight Routes and better Promotion of Leisure Activities
She went on to stress that there was a greater need than ever to improve connections between Spanish and German airports. More direct routes were needed especially between German airports and Malaga, Almeria and Seville, she said.
Germans with a holiday home in Marbella or Malaga City would certainly welcome that, not just tourists coming once a year to the Costa del Sol.
President Díaz pointed out that tourism authorities in the region planned to make the most of a 40% fall in bookings to Turkey and similarly afflicted holiday destinations Egypt and Tunisia, where fears over terrorism attacks and economic problems have prompted tour operators to switch their allegiance to Spain.
Two million Euros are to be invested in promoting Andalucía in an intensive marketing campaign, the president explained. Unlike previous marketing efforts, however, this one will highlight different holiday activities, not just focusing on traditional sun, beach and sea. Health, golf, cycling and cruises, rural tourism and wine tours are as much on the agenda as beach-based holidays this year in the 50
“We want the figures, which are already good, to become extraordinary,” President Díaz asserted.