Is Corte Ingles really the Spanish Disneyland?

I have never rated the Spanish retail sector with its poor service, over-priced and uninspiring product lines and old-fashioned stores.  But apparently they are the next big tourist attraction.

According to this article - Spain's retailers reboot to pull tourists from shore to store - a big effort is underway by the likes of Mango, Corte Ingles and others to offset falling local sales by attracting more foreign tourists with translators, discounts and targeted advertising.

I find it unlikely that tourists will take the bait.  I certainly don't recognise the description of El Corte Ingles quoted in the article: "it's like a Disney theme park for us ... we spend a whole day in here".

The shopper said that he was Colombian, which makes me think if I ever visit Colombia not to expect too much of their department stores.

I can't think many British visitors would be so impressed with El Corte Ingles.  It's not awful by any means but seems expensive to me and will feel even more so to tourists getting little more than €1 for their pound.

And Spanish shops seem to rarely offer great discounts, especially the supermarkets which I see as a couple of decades behind the British ones that everyone moans about so much.

I have already had a go at Spain's bargain stores (Spanish pound shops need to raise their game).

Perhaps clothes shops might get some joy.  Spanish fashion chains such as Mango and Zara enjoy strong international reputations and might attract some more business with a concerted push.  At certain times of the year their sales can feature meaningful cuts in prices too.

Beyond that I don't see Spain's shops becoming its next tourist attraction.  To get a sorely needed boost to demand from more tourism the country would be better sprucing up tired looking tourist infrastructure, improving the beaches and prioritising good service (see Spanish tourism feels the heat).


From our website: Employing staff in Spain

Spanish tourism feels the heat

It's Spain's number one industry and main source of unemployment so it is merciful that tourism has held up well during the crisis.  But is Spanish tourism about to go into reverse?

Probably not, despite a fall in tourist numbers announced recently by researchers FRONTUR.  Overall tourist numbers were down 3.2% in October when compared to last year.

But October is not a key month for the industry and the same survey recorded an increase overall for the first 10 months of the year (total numbers up a healthy 3.1%).

Spain is a tourism superpower with only France attracting appreciably more visitors from overseas every year.  Spain gets twice as many visitors annually when compared to the UK for example.   This is unlikely to change rapidly - Spain has the infrastructure, the regulars (like those that visit their holiday homes or relatives) and a solid brand based on decades of delivering relatively cheap "sun and sand" holidays for families.

But on the flipside Spin needs tourism more so any signs of weakness are a big worry.  Delving into the recent report does suggest a few causes for concern.

There are some big regional variations with some regions, like Catalunya and the islands, doing well but others such as Andalucia (down 7%) struggling.

 Andalucia and its Costa del Sol is an area I know well and I have been a frequent visitor to its hotels and resorts.  It is a big generalisation but I think it represents a weak link in Spanish tourism.  There are a lot of very average hotels and beaches and the Costa del Sol seems to be relying on basic packages and low prices to attract families and those on a budget.  There is not a whole lot to appeal to the choosier, better off segments of the market.



And then there is the question of where all these tourists come from.  Here too the chart suggests a cause for concern:

The UK accounts for fully a quarter of all Spain's overseas visitors, easily the biggest market.  The Brit numbers are down on the month and stagnant for the year.

Maybe that's because of a lack of disposable income in Britain, or perhaps down to the higher flight prices and taxes.  The worry is that Spain has become a bit unfashionable in Britain given all of the alternatives available in more glamorous and interesting settings.

Whatever the cause it is clear that Spain needs to work at maintaining, never mind growing, its tourist base.  The cheap and cheerful sun and sand holidays won't do it.  Marketing more heavily outside of Europe and going upmarket might.  And that is exactly what the tourist ministry is pushing for.


From our website What to do if you get a letter from the Spanish tax office