Keep Calm & Viva Espana

Headlines in British newspapers a few weeks ago were singing the praises of Spain and one even surprising those who are more accustomed to one tabloid’s usual menu of xenophobia and anti-European sentiment, the headline ran ¡VIVA ESPAÑA! Thousands of Britons have instead opted for a somewhat safer, more classic option and are holidaying under the Spanish sun.

That particular headline was pointing out that Spaniards are benefiting from the Greek economic position and the severe Islamist threat in the Eastern Mediterranean, and thousands who would normally holiday in Greece, Egypt or Tunisia are considering taking their summer vacations to a safer holiday hotspot of Spain’s Costa’s.

Data available from the Spanish Government, the British Embassy in Madrid and UK tour operators show that the economic crisis in Greece and the barbaric acts of terrorism against Western tourists in Egypt and Tunisia have led to greater revenues from tourism in Spain. Flights and visitors from Great Britain have not only risen this year compared to 2014, but money spent by those UK visitors once here and who make up a quarter of foreign tourists, has gone up by 7.4%

According to the British Embassy, the number of UK airports with direct flights to Spain have increased from 26 to 30 this year. And tour operators confirm that British tourists are opting for Spain rather than the turbulent regions of the Eastern Med.

British Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley told EL PAÍS this week, “Clearly, the strength of the pound and the relative safety that is offered by Spain is encouraging more Britons to come here this year. He also added that the sale of Spanish properties to Britons had also gone up in 2015.” A fact that although Spain is not only the foreign country that Britons love to visit, but also the most popular when it comes to investing in property. He went on to wax lyrical about “the rich history, the natural beauty, the splendid climate and gastronomy that Spain had to offer, which made Spain the ‘number one’ destination for his fellow countrymen.

The Daily Mail, also did its bit with thanks to the VIVA ESPAÑA article, but another conservative paper The Daily Telegraph also published an article this month entitled ‘Five Reasons Why Spain Is Still The Perfect Summer Destination’. Three of those were the availability of places to stay, affordable prices and it’s close location and the other two were that Spain ‘has it all’ and ‘offers’ something for everyone.


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