Travel Spotlight on: Spain

A country known for its diverse geography and rich culture, Spain is a popular destination for business and leisure tourists alike. Let’s take a look at what’s topping the headlines in Spanish travel:

Outbound Travel Trends

In terms of Spanish travelers heading out of the country, the ITB World Travel Trends Report 2015/2016, suggests more people will take trips abroad. Referring to IPK’s European Travel Confidence Index, traveler confidence is highest in Spain (tied with the UK at a +6% score), indicating positive travel intentions. It’s likely many will be heading to France, Portugal, the UK and Germany, as these were the main outbound travel destinations for residents in Spain from 2010 to 2014, according to Subdirección General de Conocimiento y Estudios Turísticos.

A Sharing City?

The ITB World Travel Trends Report 2015/2016 also revealed Spain to be in the top five ‘sharing accommodation’ destinations for international travelers, along with the UK, Spain, France, Denmark and Italy. 

Spanish MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions)

According to global rankings by the ICAA, Spain is ranked as the third destination hosting the most international meetings. And of their 2014 rankings for the top ten cities worldwide for international meetings, Madrid (at #3) and Barcelona (at #5) were standouts. The country is popular for business meetings and trade-related conferences for its unique blend of modern and traditional venues, over 30 international airports, and world-class accommodations and cuisine. For more on Spanish Mice, visit this webpage or read this promotional information from Spain.info.

Fun For the Whole Family

According to 101holidays.co.uk, Spain tops the list of the 10 most family friendly holiday destinations. It’s heartily visited by travelers of all ages for its diverse options, which aside from beaches, include locations such as Cantabria for mountain biking and whitewater rafting, or Lanzarote or the Balearic Islands for relaxation at a resort or villa.

Welcoming Record Numbers of Indian Travelers

The article Spain Aims Over 100,000 Indians in 2016 on India’s TravelTrendsToday.com explores the proliferation of Indian travelers visiting Spain. In the last 5 years, travel to Spain from India has grown from 33,591 tourist arrivals in 2011 to 84,903 tourist arrivals in 2015—and in just one year experienced a growth rate of 100%, from 10,000 visitors in Jan-April 2014 to 20,000 in Jan-April 2015. 

Spain has been actively promoting Indian visits. In addition to hosting events like the IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) Awards in Madrid, they’re introducing novel destinations to the India market, including Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country as well as Canary Islands and the 15 World Heritage Cites. What’s more, the tourism office has taken presentations directly to prospective travelers in Pune, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ahmedabad, and has held workshops and networking events in Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata to create additional buzz about Spanish travel.