Tourism experts optimistic about Asian tourism increase in Spain

Madrid's prestigious Las Ventas bullring. [Photo by Liu Lu/China Daily]

Asian tourism will continue to rise in Spain, according to data presented at the International Congress on Asian Tourism being held in the Mediterranean city of Barcelona.

Director General of Tourspain Marta Blanco said Asian tourism is reaching record levels in Spain and it represented 0.7 percent of the total number of international arrivals in 2000, while in 2014 it accounted for 3 percent.

In the first eight months of the year, Spain received a total of 47.2 million international tourists, 4.1 percent more than a year earlier, with Asian tourism rising by 37.7 percent.

Asian tourism is described as quality tourism. It contributes to diversifying the offer, making tourism less seasonal as they travel in different months of the year and are very interested in urban tourism, gastronomy, shopping (including luxury products) and arts, rather than sun and beach tourism.

Spain received 475,000 Japanese visitors in 2014, 289,000 Chinese and 167,000 South Koreans, although the country receives tourists from 15 different Asian countries.

The International Congress on Asian Tourism was launched in 2008 as a platform to discuss the new demands posed by the increasing Asian tourism, which has specific needs and requires an adaptation by the tourist services.

Among the challenges are visa deliveries, adaptation of tourist products and flight connections.

Blanco expressed optimism over an increase in the number of connections between Asian countries and Spain, namely Japan, China and India. However, she said, "these are decisions of private companies based on profitability."

Blanco explained that Spain offers variety and is ready to adapt itself to the needs of the Asian tourism as it has the means to do so. Spain ranked first in the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report thanks to natural, cultural heritage and also its infrastructure, she emphasized. "That is why we have the ability to adapt," she said.

"We have to work to make known Spain in Asia," she said, pointing out that "there is an advantage: as there is a lack of knowledge, there are not preconceptions."

Meanwhile, Xu Jing, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said that Spain should "present Madrid and Barcelona as twin brothers, rather than independent."

The fourth International Congress on Asian Tourism, set to be closed on Tuesday, is a two-day event organized by Casa Asia, Turisme de Barcelona and Agencia Catalana de Turisme that aims at answering the question of how to attract Asian tourists.