Spain boost as more visit, stay longer and spend more

Spain is heading for a return to tourism domination as the 2011 visitor figures soar towards a record 57 million, boosted by higher numbers of independent travellers staying in rented accommodation along their favourite Costas.

80% of tourists now book their own flights and accommodation. Average stay in owned apartments or rented villas is now 15 days – twice that of hotels, who have had record occupancy in 2011. Average stay rose two percent and more came people from the UK than any other country.

There are now 370,000 Brits living full-time officially in Spain, drawn by the California climate, cheap food and drink, fiesta lifestyle and above average life expectancy. 1,000s more are planning to join them after Britain came bottom in a survey to find the best place to live. The summer city riots have influenced 1,00s more to quit the UK.

A Lloyds TSB survey found 67% of Brits living in Spain “had no plans to return to Britain” and 74% claimed quality of life was better. The survey found 87% of Brits felt safer in Spain “which is a better place to bring up kids”.

Source: PropertyinSpain.net