The Tourism Geography of Spain and Portugal

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the major physical features and climates of the Iberian \Peninsula and the islands belonging to Spain and Portugal, and explain their significance for tourism.

2. Trace the development of Spanish tourism and understand the reasons for Spain’s success as a tourist destination.

3. Appreciate the nature of tourism demand in Spain and Portugal. 4. Appreciate the cultural differences between Spain and Portugal, and contrast

the nature of tourism development in the two countries. 5. Outline the major features of the tourism infrastructure in Spain, Portugal

and Gibraltar. 6. Outline the main features of tourism administration in Spain and Portugal. 7. Demonstrate a knowledge of the tourist regions, resorts, business centres,

and tourist attractions of the Iberian Peninsula and the islands belonging to Spain and Portugal.

Spain and Portugal: Introduction

• Favourite holiday destination

• Close to key markets

• Coastal focus

• Portugal a later entry to tourism

Spain: Introduction

• Meseta dominates

• Rugged and isolated

• Crafts, fairs and siestas

• Major destination• Response and demand

• Aviation

• EU entry

• Government and response

Spain: Demand

• Domestic• Car

• VFR

• Outbound

• Inbound• 1950s onwards

• Northern Europe market

• Seasonality

• Geographical concentration

Spain: Supply

• Transport• Surface transport

• Budget airlines/ regional airports

• Accommodation• Paradores

• Organisation • Ministry of Trade and

Tourism

• Devolution and provinces

Spain: Resources

• North• Galicia• Asturias• Cantabria • Basque

• East• Catalonia• Barcelona• Costa Brava• Costa Daurada• Costa Blanca• Valencia and Murcia

• South• Andalucia

• Costa del Sol

• Heartland• Madrid

• Camino de Santiago

• Pyrenees

Spanish Islands

• Balearic Islands • Ibiza

• Formentera

• Menorca

• Mallorca

• Canary Islands• Tenerife

• Gran Canaria

• Lanzarote

• Fuerteventura

• Smaller Islands

Gibraltar

• British Colony

• Small territory

• Day trips and cruise visits

• Development constraints

• Varied Products

Portugal

• Domestic• Outbound• Inbound

• Since 1960s

• IT

• Seasonality

• Transport• Accommodation

• Pousadas

• Organisation

Portugal: Resources

• South• Algarve• Alentejo

• Centre• Lisbon• Costa de Estoril• Costa de Prata

• North • Aveiro• Oporto• Minho

• Madeira • The Azores