Ibiza enjoys record spanish tourism

Ibiza is enjoying a period of record Spanish tourism, as visitors continue to flock to the country's popular hotspots.

In the first seven months of 2015, a record 37.9 million tourists arrived in Spain, up 4.7 per cent on last year. In the same period, almost 3.5 million passengers passed through Ibiza Airport, up 4.9 per cent and the 17th month of passenger growth in a row.

“Many of us saw the photos of jam-packed beaches at Spanish hotspots last month," says Glynn Evans, Managing Director of Ibiza Sotheby's International Realty.

"July figures from the official Hotel Owner's Federation show occupancy rates up again, and now well above 90 per cent in both Ibiza and Formentera. This is great news for the economy, and Ibiza was ready with many new coastal attractions to welcome the extra visitors."

Among the celebrity holidaymakers not managing to hide from the press lenses have been Princess Beatrice, Anne Hathaway, Mariah Carey and James Packer, and Oprah Winfrey. 

But Glynn insists that there is still plenty of peace and transquility to be found away from the Coast.

"We have dozens of properties for sale, and for rent, located in Ibiza's unspoilt 'boho' countryside interior," he continues. "And, thanks to the relatively small size of the Island, some 571km², even if your property was positioned right at the Centre of the island, beaches, nightlife and bright lights will never be more than 20 minutes away. The advantages of buying an inland property can be many, including more extensive grounds and even larger room sizes, while the likelihood of being overlooked by neighbours, or even hearing them, is greatly reduced."

The other trend to emerge from first-half tourism figures is that more travellers than ever are choosing to make their own arrangements, rather than relying on package tours. A record 10.2 million tourists opted for non-hotel accommodation, up 8.7 per cent on 2014, and 70.7 per cent of arrivals came to Spain without booking as a package.  Both of these indicate that buying a countryside property in Ibiza could also prove to be a profitable rental investment.