Territorial Imbalances and Tourism Development in Spain

Posted on Dec 15, 2024 in Geography

Territorial Imbalances in Sector 3

Territorial imbalances in sector 3 are influenced by factors such as population size, degree of urbanization, level of development, and outsourcing.

  • The employment level is higher in the Canary Islands, Andalusia, and the Balearic Islands.
  • Leading economic centers such as Madrid, Ceuta, and Melilla show high employment due to the virtual absence of other productive activities.
  • Regions where services target businesses are Madrid, Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Aragon.
  • These services are mastered in a few provinces such as Madrid, Barcelona, Vizcaya, and Zaragoza.
  • Consumption centers are located in Valencia, Murcia, the Canary Islands, and Andalusia (southern provinces).
  • Services are implanted in tourist areas.

Causes of Territorial Imbalances

  • The tourism boom has contributed to the growth of services such as hotels.
  • In major cities, there is a rise in visits to museums, beaches, etc.
  • Rising living standards lead to higher consumption of services, and demand becomes more numerous and specialized.
  • Trade between Spain and Morocco and the black market in Ceuta and Melilla also play a role.
  • Industrial development has promoted the process of tertiarization.
  • Growth was boosted in 1960 by transport services and finance.

Transport’s Influence on Territories

Transport reflects spatial imbalances in population distribution and economic development.

  • It influences the location of the largest urban and economic centers.
  • It is a key factor for regional development, making them accessible and attractive for economic activities.
  • A transport system is an essential element in planning, aiming to deliver accessibility, enhance networks in less developed areas, and ease communication routes.

Why Transport Networks Structure the Territory

Transport networks facilitate the movement of goods and people, connecting different places. These movements are more intense, fast, and cheap, even between geographically distant locations.

Spanish Politicians and the PEIT

The PEIT (Strategic Infrastructure and Transport Plan) is based on:

  • Momentum of economic development and competition.
  • Strengthening social cohesion.
  • Ensuring equitable access to the territory.
  • Correcting the predominance of road transport by promoting rail for passengers and goods, sea shipping, and intermodality.
  • Increasing quality and safety.
  • Promoting sustainable mobility, reducing transport emissions, and complying with environmental guidelines (international and EU).

The Space of Tourism

Factors in Spanish Tourism Development

Since the 1960s, Spain has experienced great development in tourism, becoming one of the world’s major tourist powers, both in terms of the volume of foreign tourists and income generated.

External Human Factors

Economic growth in Western Europe increased the purchasing power of the middle class, allowing them to travel more during their leisure time. This was also favored by paid leave legislation for the working classes.

Internal Human Factors

Transport improvements facilitated transfers, lowering the price of air travel, improving rail and road networks, and generalizing car use.

Cultural Factors

Attractiveness such as monuments, traditions, and gastronomy favored the influx of foreign tourists. The state provided for this activity, as tourism was a means to finance industrialization.

Physical Factors

The geographical proximity of Spain to European customers, excellent landscape conditions, and the quality of beaches offer quality. Political instability in competing areas like the Balearic and Muslim countries of North Africa also played a role.

Tourist Areas in Spain

  • Cantabrian Sea and Galicia: Rías Altas and Bajas.
  • Asturias: Gijón.
  • Cantabria: Santander.
  • Mediterranean Sea:
    • Catalonia (Lloret de Mar, Salou).
    • Alicante (La Manga).
    • Andalusia (Málaga, Marbella, Torremolinos).
  • Other areas: Balearic and Canary Islands (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Puerto de la Cruz).
  • Inland areas: Andalusia, Catalonia, Valencia, Alicante, Toledo, and Madrid.

Traditional Tourist Model

Features

  • The tourist product and facilities meet accommodation needs.
  • Focuses on the Mediterranean coast and islands, with growth in rural areas.
  • Spain has the third-largest hotel capacity worldwide, after the U.S. and Italy.
  • Maintenance includes caterers, cafes, and bars, along with recreational sports facilities and parks.

Tourism Demand

  • International demand: Since Spain joined the EU, the number of visitors has increased, mostly from Western and Northern Europe. Foreign tourists predominantly visit sun and beach areas in summer, such as the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Andalusia, and Valencia.
  • Domestic demand: Increased since the 1960s, originating from more industrialized areas like Madrid and Catalonia. Domestic tourists have less polarization and choose destinations along the Mediterranean coast and other peninsular communities.

The excessive seasonality of demand is one of the problems of Spanish tourism. Summer holidays see more foreign tourism, while domestic tourism peaks in August.