<< Back to Main Valencia Press ReleasesValencia is Europe's Fastest Growing City for Tourists with an Increase of 22% in 2006.
Added: (Thu Feb 01 2007)
Valencia continues to achieve an ever growing international status and this
is reflected in the latest data from the E.C.T.(European Cities Tourism) which
shows Valencia topping the poll in tourist growth amongst Europe's cities.Tourist
numbers increased by 22% in 2006 and overnight stays by 13.4%.
Over the past 15 years Valencia has achieved an unprecedented growth in tourists
both national and foreign visiting the city. Tourists are attracted to Valencia
by its all year round sunshine (320 days per year on average) and its ever expanding
choice of cultural, leisure and sporting attractions.Valencia is also a significant
player in the global trade fair sector with the biggest exhibition centre in
Spain and one of the 10 biggest in the world situated just outside the city
in Valterna. The furniture trade fair is the second biggest in the world, bettered
only by Milan.
Tourism in Valencia
In 2006, 1.6 million tourists visited the city which has a population of just
over 800,000 inhabitants rising to 1.5 million within a radius of 30 kilometers.
Tourism is worth in the region of €1 billion to the local economy.Valencia
is Spain's 6th most popular tourist destination numberwise.Its rate of growth
in tourist numbers greatly exceeds that of Madrid and Barcelona.Since 1993,
Valencia's tourist numbers have increased by 420% whereas Madrid and Barcelona
have increased by 180% and 320% respectively.
Since 1992 the number of foreign visitors coming to Valencia has increased
by 500% and comprises 38% of the total. British and Italian tourists make up
the majority of the foreign tourists visiting Valencia with around 80,000 each
followed by the Germans and the French at 40,000 each. Tourists are visitng
the city all year round and proof of this is the fact that at least 100,000
visitors monthly come to Valencia.
Valencia has in the region of 16,000 hotel places, two thirds of which are
4/5 star. It is estimated that the America's Cup will be worth €1.3 billion
to the local economy.Mr. Jose Salinas, director of the Valencian Tourism Foundation
Convention Bureau estimates that the America's Cup tourists will spend on average
up to 30/40% more daily than the average tourist who spends €170 daily on average.
He also expects the hotels to be at 100% occupancy rates between April and
July when all things sailing will take over the city.
Valencia Tourism was created in 1992 to promote the city, doing so via roadshows
that have visited the world's premier cities such as London, New York, Paris
and Milan to name but a few.
Evidence of the city's growing international prestige is the arrival of luxury
cruise liners such as the Queen Mary which regulary stops off in Valencia. With
the arrival of the America's Cup the city's marina will be renamed The Juan
Carlos 1st Royal Marina of Valencia becoming the Med's
largest marina surpassing Monaco. The city's futuristic looking City of the
Sciences complex designed by the the world famous Valencian architect Santiago
Calatrava, the America's Cup, the prospect of Formula 1 in the near future
and continued Champions League success will undoubtedly continue to maintain
Valencia's merited international presence.
All of this is excellent news for the growing band of non resident property
owners especially those with property in the prime areas of the city.As the
city continues to achieve a higher international profile it will attract a
wealthier yet more demanding property buyer making the area one buys in all
the more important and further underlining the need of an experienced property
search company such as Valencia Property Hound.
Article by Dermot Quinn, Valencia Property Hound Ltd
