With outbound travel witnessing a robust recovery, Turespaña is strategically enhancing its endeavours to capture the interest of Indian travellers. Elisa Robles Fraga, Director, Tourism Office of Spain (Turespaña) in India, sheds light on the unique characteristics of Spain, outlining challenges, opportunities, evolving travel trends, and dynamics of the Indian market.
– Prashant Nayak
Spain positions itself as an all-year-round destination, promoting a myriad of experiences for every traveller. Whether the motivation is art, culture, museums, monuments, beaches, cities, fiestas, routes, cuisine, or natural spaces, Spain encompasses it all. Beyond being an ideal leisure destination, it provides excellent facilities for MICE, boasting state-of-the-art venues and amenities.
Diverse Offerings
Spain’s appeal lies in its ability to offer a variety of tourism products and experiences in a single trip. From captivating museums, luxury shopping, and enthralling flamenco performances to unique small towns steeped in history and culture, delicious gastronomy, and vibrant festivals, Spain offers a unique proposition. Travellers have the opportunity to enjoy a diverse range of experiences without the need to travel to multiple countries. Spain is also an enticing option for cruise tourism, boasting major ports like Barcelona and Malaga, frequented by international cruises. Additionally, the country features stunning islands such as the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, and Ibiza, loved by travellers worldwide.
Challenges and Triumphs
A persistent challenge is managing the ever-growing demand for European destinations, a trend that Spain, as one of the preferred choices for Indian travellers also faces. Efforts are underway to provide comprehensive information about Spain’s diverse offerings, raising awareness about lesser-known tourism activities and regions to alleviate overcrowding at popular destinations. The year 2023 has proven successful for Spanish tourism in India, marked by various digital and physical campaigns.
The recently concluded B2B roadshow, ‘The Spanish Travel Experience,’ held in New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, was a resounding success, serving as a platform to strengthen business ties and introduce new Spanish tourism products while enhancing knowledge about multiple destinations.
Within the gastronomy segment, campaigns for World Tapas Day (June 2023) and World Paella Day (September 2023) have garnered positive feedback. Notably, Chef Shipra Khanna became the first Indian participant to reach the final rounds of the World Paella Day Cup in Valencia, Spain, this year.
Beyond Projections
Tourism from India to Spain is experiencing a rapid recovery post-pandemic. Despite projections being subject to variable factors during the recovery, the overall interest and response from the Indian market have been tremendous. The latest updates indicate over 193,000 arrivals from India to Spain, with hopes of surpassing pre-pandemic numbers soon.
Turespaña observes a robust demand for travel in India. Despite the negative economic impact of the pandemic and global influences, travellers assign considerable importance to their travel budgets. This is driven by the desire for unforgettable and intangible experiences, surpassing the allure of material comforts. Preferences include exploring lesser-known destinations and displaying an interest in destinations practicing sustainable tourism, aligning with Spain’s offerings.
Beyond Indian Boundaries
While India remains a major market due to its sheer size, Spain promotes itself as a tourism destination in nearby markets as well. Past promotional events have been organised in Sri Lanka and Nepal, and more recently, a successful B2B event in Bangladesh demonstrates efforts to diversify and tap into emerging markets.
