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Spain bullfighting ban pushed by Nobel prize winner
DestinationsNobel Literature laureate J.M. Coetzee has called on Spain to abandon plans to protect bullfighting, making a rare public appeal against what he called “an archaic form of entertainment.” In an open letter to Spain’s legislature released Thursday, Coetzee called bullfights “a throwback to a time when people took no heed of the feelings of [...]
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One fourth of Spain’s tourism workers lost jobs due to the recession
DestinationsThe economic sector representing the engine for Spanish economy, tourism industry, has lost throttle. Records in the last five years are desperate. Up to 600,000 jobs have been wiped out from the industry since recession ensued when the credit crunch struck, according to data gathered by the Encuesta de Población Activa (EPA), distributed by the [...]
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Kayak strengthens branding abroad with first global ad campaign
DigitalFor the first time, Kayak is airing the same ad in four destinations and four languages. Kayak launched a global ad campaign yesterday that builds brand awareness in Spain, France, Italy, and of course, the U.S. The campaign launched with a different ad in the U.S. than in France, Italy, and Spain, but both videos [...]
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TripAdvisor acquires Spanish vacation rental site and dramatically boosts portfolio
DigitalTripAdvisor has acquired its third vacation rental business, Niumba.com in Spain, a move that will dramatically increase TripAdvisor’s vacation rental properties. TripAdvisor says Madrid-based Niumba, with more than 120,000 properties in Spain, and 230,000 overall, will continue to operate as a separate brand, although its listings will be integrated into TripAdvisor and HolidayLettings. At the [...]
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Spain’s unemployment rate dips in April during run-up to tourism season
DestinationsSpain’s Labor Ministry says the number of people registered as unemployed fell by 46,050 in April with more people finding jobs in the run-up to the summer tourist season. The ministry said Monday the total number registered as jobless stands at 4.99 million. Spain has been in recession for the best part of the past [...]
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Spain may restrict vacation rentals for non-licensed properties
DestinationsPrivate holiday rentals could be restricted across Spain under a new law being debated in parliament seen as favouring the hotel industry. Alarmed at the number of tourists now choosing to rent accommodation privately instead of through hotels and registered tour companies, Spain’s parliament is poised to pass a new law that will restrict the [...]
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Forget the Spanish sun, tapas and wine brought in 5.6 million tourists last year
DestinationsTurespaña…estimates that 5.6 million tourists were wooed to Spain last year to taste any of the local specialities. This data, corresponding to 2012, meant that gastro-visitors grew by 4.25 compared to a year earlier. These are clear indications that, as it was suspected, gastronomy is taking center stage when it comes to attracting foreign holidaymakers [...]
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The best 100 restaurants in the world are mostly in Europe
DestinationsEl Celler de Can Roca, a Spanish family establishment, last night headed the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, toppling Noma. The awards for Restaurant magazine, sponsored by San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, are selected in a vote by food writers, chefs and gourmets. El Celler, run by three brothers north of Barcelona, spent two years [...]
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Golf brings major boost to southern Spain’s tourism economy
DestinationsGolf-linked tourism generated overall income to the tune of 400 million euros in Málaga, Spain last year. [It] has become some kind of jewel for the crown for Costa del Sol hoteliers. The city of Málaga takes pride on having betted its stakes on this kind of tourism because it is particularly resilient in light [...]
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Italy leases abandoned castles to luxury hoteliers for cash
DestinationsDisused castles, fortresses, prisons and islands in Italy are to be converted into luxury hotels in a bid to boost tourism and fill the coffers of the debt-laden country. The initiative is being modelled on Spain’s Paradores, luxury retreats located in monasteries, castles and other historic buildings, and could help chip away at Italy’s 1.9 [...]
