Tourism in Spain: Economic and Social Perspectives
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Last trends and new perspectives of Spanish tourism (1960-2015) Jose Antonio Mateos Royo University of Zaragoza Faculty of Economics and Business (Campus of Huesca) [email protected] Tourism in Spain: Tourism in Spain: economic and social perspectives Some reasons to follow this paper: Importance of tourism as economic activity to create employment to attract foreign investment to reduce commercial deficits Importance of tourism as strategy for “late comers” to capitalistic development: Mediterranean, Eastern Europe use of “advantages of backwardness” (Gerschenkron) Dependence of tourism on: historical evolution resources and means political and cultural background Tourism in Spain Example: Spain world leader in tourism (2th country in arrivals) essential for national development (1960-actuality) Demography and Society (2017): Actual population: 46.5 millions Immigrants: 6.5 millions (2,3 from EU) Urban population: 77% Religion: Roman Catholics (94%), few practicants Languages: Spanish (74%),Catalan (17%),Gallego (7%),vasco (2%) Politics: Arrival of democracy (1975-78) Insertion into European Union (1985) Political decentralization at regional level Tourism in Spain Economy: GDP/capita: 23,970 euros (92% EU average) (2016) Contribution of economic sectors: (2016) % Active % Sectors population GDP 1) Agriculture 4.6% 2.3% 2) Industry 13.9% 16.1% 3) Building 5.9% 5.1% 4) Services 75.6% 67.2% (69% NEW JOBS) Unemployement: 16.7% (2017) State public debt: 98.1% GDP (2017) Trade openness ratio = (Imp + Exp)/ GDP: 47.4% (2014) Export/import coverage deficit: 84% GDP (2014) (66.8% in 2008) Current account superavit: 1.7 GDP (2017) (-10% in 2007) (improvement of trade balance + tourism incomes) Evolution of national tourism (1900-1990) National Domestic tourism in Spain (1900-90) Evolution of national tourism (1900-1990) Beginning (1900-36) (Context: modernization process in Spain, 1920s) High-quality tourism (upper class) Season: summer Reason: relax, socialising, culture Environment: beach, spa Evolution of national tourism (1900-1990) Results: Creation of some infraestructures Private: around spas Public: state hotels in historic buildings (parador) Fundation of public institutions National Comission for Tourism (1905) National Patronat for Tourism (1928) Goal: Promotion of “cultural” tourism (nationalism) economic effects just considered from 1928 onwards (tourism: non-productive activity) Evolution of national tourism (1900-1990) Autarchy (1939-51)+ light liberalization (1952-9) Persistence of previous aspects Reduction of “leisure tourism” economic difficulties moral restrictions Expansion of political and religious tourism civil war tours (from 1938 onwards) catholic pilgrimages Evolution of national tourism (1900-90) Stronger state intervention: Transport infraestructure: slow increase of public investment Accomodation: public regulation of private hotels Goal: consumers’ protection Mean: Fixing prices Result: Reduction of owner’s benefits increase of state hotels Evolution of national tourism (1900-1990) Big change: tourist boom (1960-73) Beginning of “middle-class tourism” Family Special occasions (honey moon) Leisure tourism as social necessity Less attention from public authorities (especially if affecting mainlands) Evolution of national tourism (1900-1990) Seasonal tourism (summer, Christmas) Summer holidays: Beach (new tendence): Limited duration (one week, two weeks) Stay in hotels, campings Mainlands (traditional tendence): Longer duration, sometimes Use of relatives´ accomodation Peak: patronal festivities Evolution of national tourism (1900-1990) Results: Increase of benefits for tourism Promotion of tourist investment Massification of the coast urbanization process deterioration of environment bad quality of tourist services degradation of public services (water) Evolution of national tourism (1900-1990) Continuity (1973-90) Increasing popularity of tourism Consolidation of “wellfare state” Cultural affinity to western Europe Improvement, diversification of tourist offer National tourists (% of all Spanish citizens) 19.8% (1973), 31% (1982) 44% (1985), 43.4% (1990), 58.4% (1995) Slow transformation of the previous model Evolution of national tourism (1900-1990) Descentralización process (1978-85) >> regions asumed the main competences on tourism >> diversification of tourist offer regarding regions Institutional changes: suppression of previous state control relevant intervention of municipalities slow coordination of administrations (local, regional, central) Erratic tourist policy until 1985-90 (new goals): Reduction of seasonality>> Promotion of domestic tourism (social tourism for pensionists –IMSERSO-) Susteinability of environment Evolution of national tourism (1900-1990) High relevance of domestic tourism Small difussion of international travels (economic, cultural factors) National destinations (% of all destinations): 96.7% (1973), 93% (1982), 87% (1987), 81% (1990) 86.4% (1992), 92.1% (1995) National tourists (% of all visitors to Spain) 14.8% (1973), 20.7% (1982), 29.1% (1985), 18.8% (1987) 32.4% (1990), 22.3% (1992), 32.7% (1995) Evolution of national tourism (1991-2017) National domestic tourism in Spain (1991-2017) Evolution of national tourism (1991-2017) National economic context: Building expansion and especulation (1996-2007): (Causes: legal reforms + easy access to credit) ↓↓↓ increase of domestic consumption increase of foreign investment improvement of accommodation offer: hotels: slow increase (1987-95), fast (1996-2007) medium class hotels: 1973: 60%; 2005: 75% 33% (2005) did belong to inter/national chains other options: camping sites, rural houses second residences Evolution of national tourism (1991-2017) Accommodation (2005) Number Number of beds %Occupation Hotels + pensions 17,607 1,587,620 50 camping sites 1,250 778,970 75 flats 173,662 605,570 25 rural houses 11,349 100,500 40 youth hostels 227 23,528 tourist complex 327 24,200 Remarks: moderate % of occupation due to: increase of accommodation offer seasonality reduction of nights of stay per tourist Evolution of national tourism (1991-2017) Increasing relevance of domestic tourism: A) Contribution to the GDP 1995 2000 2005 1) International tourism 4.8% 5.8% 4.9% 2) Domestic national tourism 5.5% 5.8% 6.1% 3) Total 10.3% 11.6% 11% (Total 1950: 2.3%, 1960: 5%, 1970: 8.4%, 1974: 9%) B) 12% of active population is involved in tourism Spaniards in holidays: 20% (1973), 31% (1982), 43.4% (1992), 58.4% (1995) Evolution of national tourism (1991-2017) Demographic and economic factors: reduction of family members (DINKS) increase of retired persons (pensionists) increase of salaries/demand (until 2007) more flexible calendar for holidays improvement of transport equipment use of new technologies (internet) increase of accommodation options increase of tourist offer Evolution of national tourism (1991-2017) Cultural factors: moderate interest on international travels lack of tradition and culture (6% of travels by nationals in 2005: 75% to Europe) big expenses on buying real property own house second residence (20,6% of families in 2000) (32-66 days of occupation / year) use of second residences for holidays: 40% of families (1995), 57% (1997), 62% (2000) places for holidays are re-visited every year flats on the beach or in the mountains house in small villages (relatives) Last trends and new perspectives of Spanish tourism (1991-2015) Character of domestic national tourism (2010): transport: car (80%),train (10%),plane (5%),ship (2%) reasons: holidays (60%), visit of family-friends (30%) job (10%), studies (5%) duration:4,3 days (short) (week-ends +50% of travels) (less than 20% of travels excedes 2 weeks) self organization:(package holidays↓)(exception:old people) own accommodation (40%) (just 20% in hotels) lower expenses than international tourists (149 euros) lower demand of tourist services Evolution of national tourism (1991-2017) Domestic tourism: Strategies: Reflexion about domestic national tourism (INTUR)>> sustainability expansion of tourist offer: shorter duration than in precedent decades >> faster adaptation to the changing demand public support >> cultural, rural tourism diversification of tourist offer: to cover different market segments pensionists homosexuals to cover different necessities: sport, adventure (ski) culture (exhibitions in cities) or studies (courses) health (spa) entertainment (temathic parks) Evolution of national tourism (1991-2017) Positive results of domestic tourism: reduction of dependence on foreign tourists reduction of seasonality (example: practice of winter sports) (example: public support for pensionists’ holidays, 1992) reduction of spacial concentration + promotion of inlands (example: public support for creation of rural hostels) (partial success: continuity of eastern coast + Madrid, increase of inlands, decrease of Balearic and Canary islands) expansion of cultural tourism (massification of culture + reform of cultural patrimony) (87% of cultural tourism is domestic in 2005) (concentracion in cities: monuments, cultural events) Evolution of national tourism (1991-2017) Evolution of national tourism (1991-2017) Impact of Spanish economy on domestic tourism: Economic crisis (2008-13): continuity of domestic tourism (as in 1974-82) tourism as social necessity Spain is nearer and cheaper (less travels abroad) moral obligation