Spanish tourism on course for record year?

Spanish tourism could be on course for a record year, according to new figures, which show visitors are already up on 2014.

Spain welcomed 22.5 million visitors between January and May 2015, an increase of 5.1 per cent over 2014, according to the country's Tourism Ministry. The figure includes a record number of long-distance international visitors, who accounted for 6.5 million of the total, up 6.8 per cent on the previous year's number.

On the Costa del Sol, 30-40 per cent of hotel beds have already been booked for the coming two months, according to the CEA Andalucian Businesspeoples' Confederation, hinting that this summer's tourist season could smash even 2014's record breaking figures.

Deputy Minister for Tourism, Joaquin Albaladejo, comments: "There is a real sense of optimism, like that of 2014 which ended with record figures."

In popular coastal areas, property sales are also enjoying a significant increase. In Marbella, Knight Frank's latest report has shown a jump of 89 per cent in sales between 2008 and 2014. Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, meanwhile, has just launched Jade Beach, a development consisting of 24 apartments, located in Nueva Alcantara, starting from €450,000.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, comments: "This summer looks set to be a scorcher across the Spanish Costas so far as property prices are concerned, with the Costa del Sol in particular looking like the place to buy. You can get so much for your money right now in Spain. The market has bottomed out and so buyers can take advantage of both the weak euro and current low prices that are tipped to rise substantially over the medium to long term."

"Marbella continues to attract considerable attention from those looking for the best Costa del Sol properties," he continues. "The town is known for its stunning beach, great shopping, buzzing nightlife and excellent eateries – and it is a reputation that is well deserved."