New middle east flights to spain to boost tourism

Photo: MarkyHarky

A new range of flights between Spain and the Middle East will boost the country's tourism this year, as non-EU investors increasingly turn to the country's real estate market to take advantage of its residency scheme.
 
"Historically it hasn't always been easy to fly direct from the Middle East to Spain which isunfortunate considering the popularity of the Spanish market," explains Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Spanish builder Taylor Wimpey España.

Now, though, the United Arab Emirates´ flag carrier Etihad Airways and Spanish airline Air Europa have signed a code share agreement, which will see both carriers significantly enhance access to and from Spain, the UAE and destinations across the globe.
 
As part of its effort to increase travel to Spain, Air Europa plans to commence a thrice weekly direct service between Madrid and Abu Dhabi from late 2014.
 
"With this new code share agreement and thrice weekly direct service to the capital, both holidaymakers and property owners alike can enjoy easier and more flexible access to our wonderful nation," adds Pritchard.

Indeed, the country's accessibility to the Middle East has been significantly boosted in the last six months following Spain's introduction of a new "Golden Visa", which awards residency to non-EU buyers investing a minimum of €500,000 in real estate.

With the first regular A380 service with daily flights from Dubai to Barcelona recently opened, and Air China launching its second route to Spain in May 2014 with a four-times-weekly Beijing-Barcelona service via Vienna, Spain's tourism and overseas property popularity are both set to soar to new heights.