Tourism’s Socio-Economic Impact on Spanish Territories
Socio-Economic Impact and Territorial Tourism
Tourism is an activity that implies temporary residence and leisure pursuits (cultural, recreational, etc.). The word “economy” was first used in Britain in the late eighteenth century to designate a person who makes a pleasure trip for cultural reasons or for pleasure. In the nineteenth century, tourism was an elitist activity typical of wealthy aristocrats and the bourgeoisie.
However, since the 1960s, it has become a mass phenomenon, producing a large increase in visitors (tourists and hikers).
Introduction
Since the 1960s, Spain has experienced great development in this sub-sector and today is a major international tourist destination. The tourism boom in the sixties was motivated by several factors:
External Factors
Economic growth in Europe after the Second World War (1939-1945) and the progress of transport facilitated transfer and enhanced tourism.
Internal Factors
These include the proximity of Spain to European customers, weather conditions, the low cost of Spain, and the emergence of resorts and tourist agencies. At present, other factors have gained importance, such as the consolidation of demand, the quality of offerings, diversification of tourism products, and improved infrastructure. Political instability in competing tourist areas such as the Balearic Islands or Africa has also influenced this.
Tourism provides wealth to the country but also involves significant territorial impacts in the receiving areas. These generate lasting effects which are more visible and intense in coastal tourist areas but also in the rest of the areas. These impacts can be divided into social and territorial categories.
Social Repercussions
Demographics
In coastal areas, tourism increases the population, as some young people come in search of work, and in other cases, the adult population comes for therapeutic purposes, leisure, or business. Additionally, the population employed in the construction sector increases. In some cases, rural areas have seen a stop to depopulation and a revival of handicrafts and folk traditions. It has also eased immigration in historical cities facing economic crisis.
Repercussions in the Settlement
On the coast, tourism contributes to the creation of new structures, such as the creation of urbanization in coastal stretches. It has also provoked a high density of construction and soil speculation. In some rural and urban areas, it has contributed to the rehabilitation of built heritage.
Political, Cultural, and Sociological Repercussions
Tourism promotes closer contact between people and cultures. It influences livelihoods in local society, in some cases negatively (loss of customs, of the signs of identity) and other positive (stimulating change and modernity). It affects the quality of life for residents when overcrowding leads to saturation of services and infrastructure.
Economic Repercussions
Tourism creates jobs, requiring substantial manpower to perform the tasks. In 2003, tourism accounted for 12.2% of the workforce. However, much of this employment is seasonal. It also has a multiplier effect on economic activities around it. It contributes approximately 11.4% of GDP, making it one of the economic pillars of Spain. It compensates for the trade balance and slows down the external debt (in 2003, tourism financed 70% of the trade deficit). It influences the transport network, as tourism has been instrumental in the construction of motorways, airports, and port capacity.