Despite uncertainty over Brexit and the fact that the EU is already discussing the introduction of online visa applications for Brits travelling within the Euro-zone, the World Travel Market London was the best ever for the 300 representatives of Andalucia's tourism sector in the last ten years.
Britain is still the region's most important market, as this year's historic record of 50 million overnight hotel stays confirmed. The travel fair threw up quite a few questions though of where the southern Spanish region should be heading, now that British travellers organise their annual holidays differently. Malaga's growing popularity as a city break destination and the fact that more Brits go on several shorter breaks rather than opting for traditional long summer holidays at the beach means that Andalucia's travel market is changing rapidly. The general consensus was that tourism representatives need to find better ways in which they promote city breaks across the region.
Not resting on Tourism Laurels
In the wake of Brexit's potentially negative impact Francisco de la Torre, Malaga's mayor, announced a tailored promotional plan aimed specifically at British travellers. Early estimates suggest that Malaga will have welcomed around 100,000 city break visitors this year and Andalucia's tourism chiefs want this trend to continue rising.
Francisco Javier Fernández, Andalucia's minister for Tourism and Sport, returned to Seville in an upbeat mood, despite concerns over Brexit's potentially negative impact on the region's tourism sector. “I’m leaving London happy, satisfied and reassured. At this fair, which is key for our destination and essential for the sector, we have cleared up a lot of uncertainties.”
He added that Britain's tour operators had pointed to where Andalucia's tourism sector should be headed. Assurances were given that UK's tour operators would continue to promote southern Spain with accustomed vigour. Forecasts show that there was continued growth in the British tourism market, southern Spain's most important source of foreign visitors.
“The British professionals insist on the need for us to diversify our offer and create new products. This is something that we will continue to work on and that is easy in a region such as ours where we can combine the best sun, sea and sand with snow, inland natural beauty, golf and cuisine,” the Andalucian minister added.
“The impression we are taking home with us from the WTM is that the good forecasts we had for the British tourist market have been confirmed by tour operators and airlines,” explained Elias Bendodo, the president of the Costa del Sol's tourism board.
Everyone, from business owners involved in the tourism sector to professionals from the tourist board and tour operators came away from the 3-day fair in London with a smile on their face and increased confidence that despite the difficulties that might arise from Britain's exit from the European Union there should be plenty of future business opportunities for everyone. Representatives went away having secured business not just for next year's summer season but also for Andalucia's winter season 2017/2018.
Four of Andalucia's tourist attractions are among the ten most visited in Spain
Just how popular city breaks have become can be seen from the huge numbers of visitors Andalucia's ancient monuments welcomed last year.
Historic treasures like the La Alhambra in the city of Granada, which saw 2.5 million visitors in 2015, are among the top ten visitor attractions in Spain, according to a list compiled by El Pais. The palace complex, of which the oldest parts date back to 889 AD with later additions constructed by the Moors in the 13th century, was the fourth most visited ancient monument site in the country.
Seville's Catedral de Santa Maria and Real Alcazar both welcomed 1.5 million visitors in 2015. With 1.6 million visitors Cordoba's stunning La Mezquita mosque from the 8th century featured in sixth position.
At the top of El Pais' list stands Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, which received 3.7 million visitors last year. Gaudi began his basilica's construction in 1852 and to this day the elaborate roof construction is still not complete.