The Spanish Institute of Statistics (INE) released latest figures yesterday, revealing that Spain welcomed a record-breaking 82.6 million tourists in 2018, up 0.9% on the previous year. However, with one in five tourists coming from the UK, the uncertainty and speculation surrounding post-Brexit travel plans could bring an end to the 9-year streak of record-breaking tourist numbers.
Traditionally, January is the busiest time for booking a summer holiday. This year, the number of early bookers appears to be even higher.
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Despite the concerns about Brexit, during the first two weeks of January, enquiries and bookings by Brits for a self-catering Spanish summer getaway are up 0.35% compared to same period last year with bookings strong going forward, according to the industry insider.
“There is nothing to suggest that British tourists will not be able to continue with their holiday plans post-Brexit after March 29,” reassured Jannich Petersen, CEO of Spain-Holiday. “Even in a no-deal scenario, the European Commission has said flights to and from the UK will still be able to operate.”
This “business as normal” approach reinforces the messages of reassurance from the UK government, the European Commission and ABTA that travel will not be disrupted as they encourage Brits to book their holidays for after 29th March as normal.
The continued popularity of self-catering holidays in Spain by the British holidaymaker, attributed, in part, to the favorable booking terms for independent travelers looking to book a holiday rental home online. The most frequently searched destinations for summer 2019 are Marbella, Benalmádena and Nerja on the Costa del Sol, Costa Adeje on the island of Tenerife, and Benidorm on the Costa Blanca.
