Andalusia plans to offer its tourist beauties in the market, which previously was considered relatively closed - the Middle East. About 20 tourism operators from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE were invited to Andalusia by the Tourism, Trade and Sports Department of the region. Andalusian authorities intend to offer the Middle East travel industry representatives such areas as wine and culinary tourism and show the best cities of the country. The three-day promotional tour includes Malaga, Granada, Cordoba and Seville.
Spain promises to become one of the European countries, where the percentage of wealthy tourists from the Persian Gulf region will increase significantly. It should be noted that such interest growth began in 2011.
Such result in Andalusia was achieved thanks to the advertising campaign, which the Spanish Agency Tourespana has been conducting in the Middle East in recent years. In addition, Spain in general and Andalusia in particular are interesting for the Arab tourists because the Iberian Peninsula preserved the heritage of the Islamic culture. The most amazing examples are the Alhambra palace complex in Granada and the famous Mesquita mosque in Cordoba.
In addition, one of the significant factors that contributed to the tourist flow growth from the Middle East region is unstable social-political situation in the region. Tunisia, Egypt and Syria once enjoyed great popularity among respectable tourists from the Arab world. Today, however, because of the governmental crises in these countries, their priorities shifted to Europe, particularly Spain.
It should be noted that for the Spaniards attracting visitors from the Saudi Arabia could mean a significant increase in revenues. So, tourists from this country are among the 11 nations with the biggest tourist spendings.
Spain hopes that the increase in tourists from the Gulf this year will reach 5%.
Ilya Kalachev
Date: 04/04/2012
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