Trend and prospects
In the current economic crisis, coastal tourism is Spain is suffering a scarce differentiation of the offer and the excessive dependence on the German and English market in beach resort regions. Mature destinations are experiencing a loss of competitiveness because of territorial saturation, environmental impacts, ageing of infrastructure and equipment. In this context first-class beach regions and resorts models are now loosing attractiveness though they struggle to quickly re-invent themselves. Dependence on beaches as the primary attraction and an aggressive development model led to serious ecological damage and over-utilisation of local resource. A series of mergers is currently taking place among the hotel corporations, with the goal of absorbing the excess capacity they committed themselves to creating during the period of strong growth, though reduced size and costs optimisation is not deemed sufficient if it does not come with specialisation and innovation of products offered.
The associations representing the private sector have expressed concern which have been taken on board by the Government through an initiative to renew mature destinations. In particular the National and Integral Tourism Plan 2012-2015 aims to develop a plan for mature destination by identify and value the resources of the maritime-terrestrial public domain in seaside resorts and improving the use of Spain’s coastline and its image as important cultural and natural heritage through private tourism services.