Holiday Rentals Spotlight
Spain's plans to keep the country a top holiday destination
Despite the considerable social and economic reforms that have taken place in Spain over the past three decades, tourism still remains one of the country's most important industries, and the single most powerful stimulus of the country's overall economic well-being and employment. In fact, it provides 12% of the country's gross domestic product.
Spain rates second to France in terms of the total number of visitors and second only to the Americans in terms of the volume of sales.
Even so, the Spanish government are now actively implementing what they call their "Plan del Turismo Español Horizonte 2020", which roughly translated means their strategic plan to keep Spain on top of the international tourist destination ratings until 2020 and beyond.
One of the ways they aim to do this is by undertaking significant investment in more environmentally sustainable leisure resorts and in the country's key road, rail, sea and air transport networks, which they see as key to the flow of tourists both into and around the country.
In the Málaga province alone, evidence can be seen of this investment through the current expansion of Málaga airport, which will see a second runway and new terminal opening next year in what is already Spain's third biggest airport. There's also the recently-opened high-speed AVE train linking the city of Málaga to Madrid (now two hours between cities) and the rest of Spain (read full story here), plus the expansion of the city's sea passenger port.
The lesser-known areas of Spain - such as the Costa Azahar in Valencia - are also being promoted by the government to foreign markets, together with other aspects of holidaying in Spain, such as the exploration of the country's vast cultural heritage.
In addition, the government also want to extend the holiday season, by marketing Spain as a year-round tourist destination. In short, they want visitors to see Spain as a culturally enriching holiday destination throughout the autumn and winter, as well as the spring and summer - a place that offers far more than just the traditional 'sun, sand and sangria' package deal fortnight in a cheap hotel during the summer on the Costas.
So far, despite the worldwide recession, the plan seems to be working.
In Andalucia alone - historically one of the most popular package deal destinations - the Spanish Tourist Board now say there are noticing a marked trend, especially amongst the British, for exploring the less commercialised areas of the region.
Big rise in cultural and self-catering tourism in Andalucia
An average of 25 million people visit Andalucia each year. The Tourist Board claim that although 29% of foreign visitors still come to southern Spain mainly because of the climate, 26% now say they visit the area to experience its culture as well as its beaches, with destinations such as Cordoba, Seville, Cádiz and Granada high on the list of foreign visitors' holiday agendas.
This desire to 'stray off the beaten track' has been aided by the general increase in the amount of information now available about the inland areas and cities of Andalucia, both by recent Spanish Tourist Board marketing campaigns abroad, and via the Internet.
In addition, the availability of cheap flights to the region's airports from other parts of Europe, the relatively inexpensive car hire options from the Costa del Sol, and the improved road infrastructure inland from the Coast have all contributed to holidaymakers' willingness to seek a more authentic Spanish experience.
Another interesting trend many in the travel industry are noticing is the holidaymaker's desire to move away from traditional stays in hotels towards self-catering accommodation.
Despite the 'credit- crunch', and judging by the increased volume of rental bookings we've received so far this year over previous years is that people simply do not want to go without their holiday, but are looking at ways of better controlling their costs.
Staying in self-catering accommodation is one of the best ways not only to save money on the accommodation itself whilst keeping the standard of their accommodation high, but it's also a great way to curb spending whilst away by taking the DIY approach and eating in more. This certainly has been the theme pursued in many of the travel media over the past few months.
Having said that, according to new research by UK airline BMIBaby, the number of people looking to holiday in Spain and the Mediterranean is set to rise this summer, as their website has seen a dramatic increase in the volume of customers searching online for flights in the past month alone.
In response, the airline intends to put on 30 more flights to the Mediterranean per week during summer 2009, a significant number of which are heading for Málaga to cope with increased consumer demand.
This move towards self-catering is made even more evident when you consider hotels are reporting significantly lower occupancy rates in 2009 than witnessed in previous years.
The holidaymakers must be staying somewhere!
City by City: Andalucia's unique cultural treasures
It's no wonder foreign tourists are now looking to explore Andalucia more. After all, the region boasts some of the most amazing cities with some of the most breathtaking sights to be seen anywhere in the world.
There's the narrow, bustling cobbled streets and ancient architecture of the Jewish Quarter in Seville; the harmonious blend of two thousand years of Christian and Muslim religious history in the stunning Mezquita in Cordoba; the Alhambra set against the snow covered peaks of Sierra Nevada in Granada; the golden dome of Cádiz cathedral shimmering high over the white tipped waves of the blue Atlantic ocean, and the Gibralfaro Castle standing proud against the city skyline in Málaga - they're all absolute must-sees on any holiday.
Thanks to recent road improvements, for those choosing to stay on the Costa del Sol, each of these cities are now just two or three hours away by car, and as such, culturally rewarding day trips to each can be fitted easily in to any Costa del Sol holiday itinerary.
Málaga
Although Málaga is a modern and cosmopolitan city, it has a wealth of cultural history stretching back over three thousand years.
There are several historically significant monuments in the city worth visiting which date back many centuries - the Cathedral, Gibralfaro Castle, the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre (which was only discovered 58 years ago) to name but just a few.
There are also a selection of beautiful historical gardens, one of which dates back as far as 1669, and over 20 different museums to choose from.
But for a city that's campaigning to become Europe's Capital of Culture in 2016, many Malagueños (people from Malaga) would argue it's the city's artistic heritage that is its biggest claim to cultural fame.
Málaga was Picasso's birthplace, and has dedicated not one, but two museums to its most famous son - The Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation Museum and The Picasso Museum - which are within a short walking distance of each other.
The Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation Museum features original works by the artist, both from its own permanent collection and those on temporary loan. The museum is actually located on the first floor of the house he was born in and spent the first few years of his life, with different rooms dedicated to the different areas his work covered, from paintings and ceramics, to etchings and illustrated books.
The Picasso Museum meanwhile, is located in Buenavista Palace, a 17th century Renaissance building (which is of cultural interest itself) and owes its existence to the artist's own desire to see his work exhibited in the city of his birth.
There are over 200 examples of works by Picasso on permanent display, including oil paintings, sculptures, drawings, sketches, etchings and ceramics.
Any visit to Málaga would not be complete without a visit to either one or both of these museums.
Granada
Think of Granada, and one image immediately springs to mind, the famous Alhambra Palace, one of the true wonders of the world.
Of course, Granada has other attractions to make any trip up from the Coast worthwhile - the cathedral, the Sierra Nevada mountain range (location of Europe's most southerly ski resort), the picturesque Berber villages in the nearby Alpujarras mountain region - but it's the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra Palace and gardens which always draws huge crowds of inquisitive visitors to this historic city time and time again.
And no wonder, with its Moorish palaces, gardens and water systems and pink-silvery-gold toned walls (depending on the sunlight and the time of day), the Alhambra is quite simply spectacular to behold.
The fortress was originally built in the 9th century by the Moors but in centuries to come would be further developed to incorporate palaces and a walled city.
In 1492 re-conquering Christian monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel took over the Alhambra as the occupying Moors fled into the local countryside before being driven out of Spain.
Cordoba
Throughout the centuries, the relatively small city of Cordoba has existed under Roman, Moorish and of course Christian occupation, and as a key axis of trade, science and the arts, was once amongst the largest and most prosperous of all European cities.
As a historical centre of wisdom and knowledge, it's no surprise that today it boasts an eclectic mix of diverse cultural and religious influences.
The prime example of this can be witnessed by a visit to its unique Mosque-Cathedral, or La Mezquita as it's known, which is set in the beautiful old quarter of the city.
Surrounded by quaint narrow streets, La Mezquita is quite literally the result of the architectural styles of two faiths seemingly at odds with each other combining together in a most fascinating way.
Having been originally constructed as a Christian church, it was then taken over by the Moors for use as a mosque and greatly developed until it became the second-largest mosque in the world.
The mosque was then re-consecrated as a Christian church after Christian King Ferdinand re-took the city in 1236, with subsequent kings adding more Christian features in the coming centuries.
With a high speed rail link between Cordoba and Malaga taking approximately 40 minutes and only 3 hours driving time away, the city is the ideal destination for a day trip from the Costa del Sol.
Cádiz
The charming city of Cádiz is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and it comes as no surprise the sea has played a significant role in its chequered history.
Believed to be at least 3,000 years old, Cádiz was originally founded by the Phoenicians as a trading post, and later served as a major Roman port.
In the 16th century, of course, it became key to the Spanish as the ideal setting off point for crossing the Atlantic, both on voyages to first discover then settle the Americas.
Around that period, Cádiz also had the distinction of being raided by Francis Drake in an attempt to gain control of this New World, was held siege by the Napoleonic armies, and finally, as a refuge for anti-Monarchists, it became the seat of the original Spanish constitution.
Today, a wander around the beautifully preserved old town is worth the 3 hour drive from the Costa del Sol alone, as is the seafood to be sampled in the local restaurants.
Cádiz has Spain's oldest fish market, with each day's catch literally being brought straight from the fishing boats to the market and then served on the tables of the local restaurants, sometimes within less than an hour.
The famous cathedral is also worth a visit. An unusual pathway winds its way up inside the main belltower, providing an incredible view across the city rooftops in all directions to the sea.
Seville
Mention the word 'Spain' to many people, and chances are it will trigger mental images of beautiful, olive-skinned señoritas dancing seductively in bright red frilly dresses in orange tree-lined squares to dramatic Flamenco music as horse-drawn carriages pass by, carrying elegantly-attired folk sheltering under sun umbrellas through the crowds.
This stereotypical image however relates to the city of Seville, rather than to Spain itself.
As the capital city of Andalucia, Seville is the largest city in southern Spain. It's a vibrant place populated by a people famous for their sparkle and wit.
And there are many wonderful sights to see, places to visit and things to do in the city all year round to make any trip up from the Coast more than worthwhile.
A visit to the 13th century Torre del Oro military watchtower on the banks of the Gualalquivir river, for instance, or La Giralda, the bell tower and minaret of the famous Sevilla Cathedral, which was once the tallest tower in the world and has spectacular views across the city. There are numerous historic public gardens in which to wistfully while away the hours, the world-famous Easter week parades and the annual 'Feria', plus of course more modern attractions like the Isla de Mágica Disney-style theme park.
But above all, it's the city's ancient Jewish Quarter, with its charmingly narrow cobbled streets, quaint plazas, tall elegant houses, impossibly picturesque courtyards overflowing with a riot of colourful flowers and blossom - not to mention one of the largest cathedrals in the world, the Alcázar Palace at its very heart - that most foreign visitors instinctively gravitate towards.
Walking through its streets and squares you truly get a tangible sense of the city's history, a city which only truly came to prominence in Europe relatively recently following the discovery of the Americas.
As the birthplace of tapas of course, the culinary delights on offer at the many restaurants in the area are not to be missed. And if you don't fancy a trip up from the Coast and back on the same day, the city has some of the finest hotels in the whole of Spain.
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