Older British residents will continue to dominate tourist numbers on the Costa Blanca, as the sector increases it expectations of this market in the short and medium term, despite new contracting trends reducing the number of traditional package holidays.
A report by the Alicante Chamber of Commerce, published to coincide with the World Travel Market (WTM) held in London from yesterday until Thursday, highlighted that "older people are becoming highly attractive customers". The study was produced by the Chamber's Tourism Department, set up early this year, and informs Alicante businesspeople that "the British population over the age of 65 is set to grow by 22% by 2011, at a greater rate than global demand and leading to an increase in the importance of this segment of the market".
Another increasingly popular option is the weekend and short break formula, owing to the proliferation of low-cost airlines and new airport hubs. Indeed, the demand for this type of trip has shot up, mainly because the British prefer to split their holidays into various shorter trips.Benidorm is set to keep its privileged position in Spain in terms of British holidaymakers and to continue to attract visitors to the Community of Valencia. In fact, hotels and other establishments in the Marina Baixa are expected to receive 86% of visitors to the Costa Blanca from the British Isles.
In terms of overall numbers, this translates into over 4.6 million overnight stays compared to 5.1 million in the province as a whole.These figures reflect the importance of Great Britain for the Alicante tourist industry and is the reason for the province's massive attendance at the WTM, under the umbrella of the Tourism Department and the Provincial Council.Councillor Angélica Such, speaking in London yesterday, highlighted the importance of this event, "as one of every two foreign visitors to our Community is British". Therefore, "the event is essential for our consolidation as a leading international tourist destination".
Councillor Such also stated that "this is a great chance for our businesspeople to make contact with local agents, enabling them to close very favourable agreements". She also recognised the great business effort involved in providing the maximum number of hotel rooms in the top categories. "From 2000 to 2006, rooms in 4 and 5 star hotels reached 37% of the total number available, an increase of 156%".
LAS PROVINCIAS - Tuesday 13 November 2007
