Spain Tourism to showcase new destinations

Participating once again at the Arabian Travel Market, Spain Tourism in the GCC will be displaying their multiple destinations. Welcoming guests, Spain Tourism achieved the highest number of visitors and enjoyed its place as it became the top destination. We will give all updates about the cities so that they do not cease to surprise visitors, says Daniel Rosado, Director, Spain Tourism, GCC.

Dr. Shehara Rizly

What will you be showcasing at ATM this year?

This year we will be having a wide representation of Spain’s multiple destinations. We have well-established destinations such as Andalucia, Cataluña or Madrid, which have been coming to the market regularly. We will showcase all the news and updates about these vibrant destinations so that they do not cease to improve and
surprise visitors.

At the same time, we are also happy to welcome new destinations to the market. We have, for example Mallorca, part of the Balearic Islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea and offering incredible experiences in a Spanish Mediterranean style. Curious about what that is, Spain stand at ATM will be a place to discover. We have the Basque country, a region up north in Spain, a place we call Green Spain, that will blow away the country’s typical image and give it another dimension. We also have some other destinations, wide variety of hotels, destination managemnt companies (DMCs) and shopping outlets. This will give you a complete overview of what is going on now in one of the most visited countries in the world.

Could you share what is new from the Spain Tourism to the GCC?

Spain has been leading the tourism industry worldwide during the past decades. To do so we have developed the ability to change, to adapt to the different circumstances given at any point and lead these changes. Some changes we have been working for a long time with them, such as sustainability, that has been at the core of our strategies and with a wide approach on the social, economic, and environmental side.

We have developed a variety of new products that cater and market better the current demands. In urban tourism, we have examples such as Madrid, which has repositioned itself as a luxury tourism destination. With all the hotel main brands opening and expanding in the capital: they see an unexploited luxury side and by coming they also help that side to develop further. It was always there, but now it is becoming worldwide experienced.

This brings attached new restaurants, new boutique shops, new experiences and it becomes an ecosystem that its well managed and growing fast.  Also, with the new demands on rural and experiential activities we have showcased more our offering in sports such as ski, nautical (Americas cup is this summer in Barcelona), golf, and many camps on different sports such as football or padel. On the rural side, we have showcased the gastronomy, the local experiences, the adventures you did not thought you could live with in Spain, but they are there waiting for you.

All in all Spain has adapted its products to the demand, making it more sustainable, more attractive, more experiential to bring the visitor closer to that part of our country.

Performance-wise, how has 2023 been so far from GCC? Who leads it and could you share some data/stats?

The consolidated data from 2023 shows an increase in the number of visitors from this region to Spain. The increase has been of over 50 per cent in number of visitors, which is setting an
amazing growth pattern. On the expenditure side, the increase has been of more than 30 per cent. All of this shows that more and more people from the region are inspired to come and discover Spain.

The biggest increase in numbers have come from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with double numbers, followed by Kuwait and Qatar and then the UAE. Our strategy has been to increase the numbers and set the same on a new level from which they will continue to grow. The expenditure also shows that more are doing their shopping and investing more on experiences, including gastronomy and culture.

Elaborate on the sustainability drive planned for the year?

Sustainability has always been on our strategy and plan, since long back. Given the early start in the tourism promotion in the early 20th century (1908) we have been working hand in hand with local communities to create a positive climate where tourists and locals are in symphony.

Sustainability in a social and economic perspective is important so that we maintain the richness and authenticity of the places and its people. Good tourism is one that gives in return to the local community and fosters a deeper relationship between all the actors and enables it to keep growing and improving. Spain leads Europe in environmental protection of its land and seas. Our industry is implementing all the changes needed to make a trip to Spain a sustainable experience. We take this seriously as we want to preserve the legacy of our parents for our children.

What are the activities planned to make Spain more attractive to the GCC visitors?

During this first half of this year, we have been promoting Spain in different ways. We have done several roadshows, including a hosted buyers’ event just before Arabian Travel Market, where more than 30 Spanish partners have had the opportunity to do business with the GCC agents and be present at ATM
showcasing Spain.

Besides marketing campaigns online and offline, the B2C events and several more actions have been implemented and will be continuing so throughout the summer. After summer, we will proceed with our Winter in Spain campaigns, showcasing Spain as a year-round destination, with plenty of winter activities, such as skiing, nature destinations, adventure travel, shopping, sports events and the like and finally, the enchanting Christmas markets in the month of December.

Last year has been a very great year for us. We recorded a huge increase in visitor numbers to Spain from this region and we are seeing an increase over those numbers in 2024. We are delighted to welcome more visitors from this region and share our culture, heritage, lifestyle, and friendship.