No rain in spain with 8pc increase in tourism and positive property sales

Spain has enjoyed a much improved year in terms of tourism levels welcoming 50.9 million visitors in the first 10 months of 2011, an 8pc increase on the same period last year. In fact, Spain has shown no signs of slowing down with around 5.1 million arrivals entering the country last month.

October alone saw around 24.7 million overnight stays recorded by hotel establishments across Spain, a 3.2pc increase over the same month in 2010, while 52pc of all available bed places were filled in October, marking a year-on-year increase of 2.2pc according to the latest data from the National Statistics Institute.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

"In spite of the waves of recession and economic hardship, Spain this year has managed to perform well experiencing a record breaking summer. This year has also been positive for Taylor Wimpey España, selling nearly 30 units in the Costa del Sol alone to date, a performance better than last year.

"Last month alone we saw just over 15pc of enquiries for Malaga, compared to only 10pc for the Balearics and only 8pc for Alicante with the biggest buyers remaining our loyal British fans. Our research shows that 53pc of all leads derive from British property hunters who also make up at least 28pc of Taylor Wimpey España sales."

Indeed, as a first choice destination for many British travellers, the president of the Tourism Board of the Costa del Sol, Elías Bendodo, has introduced a new brand under the title "Living Costa del Sol", with the aim of attracting more British tourists and property buyers to Spain.

While the overall aim is to increase property sales to the British market to help boost the economy and to clear the surplus of unsold property, Bendodo believes that the initiative will "convince British tourists to relocate their permanent home to the Costa del Sol, where they can live the dream."

Meanwhile, Spain continues to have its own financial initiative in place, providing potential property buyers the chance to snap up a new home with 50pc off VAT until the 31st December 2011.