• Costa del Sol visitor numbers up 5.1% (Tourism Ministry)
• Malaga named as one of the best places in Europe (Lonely Planet)
• ‘Marbs’ is the place to be and to buy this summer (Taylor Wimpey España)

Spain’s tourist season is already off to a glowing start this year, with 22.5 million visitors between January and May 2015, an increase of 5.1% over 2014, according to the country’s Tourism Ministry. The figure includes a record number of long-distance international visitors, who accounted for 6.5 million of the total, up 6.8% on the previous year’s number.

On the Costa del Sol, 30-40% of hotel beds have already been booked for the coming two months, according to the CEA Andalucian Businesspeoples’ Confederation, hinting that this summer’s tourist season could smash even 2014’s record breaking figures. Deputy Minister for Tourism, Joaquin Albaladejo, comments,

“There is a real sense of optimism, like that of 2014 which ended with record figures.”

Nor is it just hotel beds that are looking promising. In popular coastal areas, property sales are enjoying a significant increase. In Marbella, the Knight Frank Marbella Market Insight report has shown a jump of 89% in sales between 2008 and 2014.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“This summer looks set to be a scorcher across the Spanish Costas so far as property prices are concerned, with the Costa del Sol in particular looking like the place to buy. You can get so much for your money right now in Spain. The market has bottomed out and so buyers can take advantage of both the weak euro and current low prices that are tipped to rise substantially over the medium to long term.”

The inclusion of Malaga in the recently published Lonely Planet best places in Europe 2015 ranking (it came in at number four) has helped to boost the city’s reputation as a top holiday hotspot. The Lonely Planet rating highlighted Malaga’s “sunshine, beaches, seafood and a historic centre crammed with atmospheric alleyways,” as well as its thriving art scene and redeveloped port area.

But for those looking to purchase a Costa del Sol dream home this summer, the only way is ‘Marbs’, confirms Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard,

“Marbella continues to attract considerable attention from those looking for the best Costa del Sol properties,” he comments. “The town is known for its stunning beach, great shopping, buzzing nightlife and excellent eateries – and it is a reputation that is well deserved.”

Jade Beach is one of Marbella’s most exciting new developments. The 24 exclusive apartments, located in Nueva Alcantara, Marbella, are just 100 metres from the seafront promenade connecting the upscale Puerto Banus with San Pedro de Alcantara. The two and three bedroom south-facing properties offer modern Mediterranean style architecture and large terraces, along with a well appointed swimming pool, communal gardens and underground parking. The gated development includes a security checkpoint and a host of handy features like motorised blinds and under-floor heating, perfectly in tune with the demands of those looking to own property in the Marbella area.

Those looking to join the rich and famous in the playground of Marbella this summer can enjoy prices from €450,000 at Jade Beach.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

• 85% of relationships with enterprises to be managed without human interaction by 2020 (Gartner)
• Customer satisfaction at Taylor Wimpey España running at 90% plus
• New Jade Beach development will be one of most advanced on market (Taylor Wimpey España)

Selling property is about far more than just having nice houses on your books. This is doubly true if your buyers live in another country and you are selling off plan homes with the majority of the process conducted without any face-to-face interaction.

Yet this kind of selling relationship is the way of the future. According to Gartner, by 2020 customers will manage 85% of their relationships with enterprises without any human interaction, highlighting how essential it is to have a known and trusted brand, whichever industry you work in.

For those selling overseas real estate, this means a serious focus on web and social media presence. If you don’t have a first-rate website, packed with information and images of the properties you are selling, your potential customers will have moved on to your competitors’ sites before you know it. If you don’t also engage appropriately with social media, it can damage your company’s reputation and brand.

Companies these days need to be smart about their social media presence. A survey by Adroit Digital found that 60% of millennials in the US said that social advertising had the most influence over how they perceived a brand. Furthermore, 38% said they would be willing to leave a brand that they perceived to have bad ethics. The figures highlight the damage that one disgruntled customer with a Twitter account can do!

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, is well aware of the importance of his company’s brand when it comes to successfully selling luxury homes in Spain. He explains,

“We’ve worked hard over the last 50 years to ensure that Taylor Wimpey España’s name is synonymous with high spec, beautifully designed properties, excellent customer service and careful attention to detail. It’s the reason that we were able to weather the Spanish recession and carry on building during the country’s difficult years. We work on principles of honesty and trust with our customers and are running at a baseline satisfaction rate of 90% plus as a result.”

The company’s approach is in line with the thinking of the recent Madrid Real Estate Conference 2015. Juan Antonio Gomez-Pintado, president of the Association of Real Estate of Madrid (ASPRIMA), spoke of the responsibility that real estate entrepreneurs have to society and the need to use “innovation, transparency, energy efficiency and job creation” to ensure the future viability of the sector.

Taylor Wimpey España certainly ticks all of these boxes, from innovation in design through to a commitment to full compliance with the latest energy efficiency standards. At Avalon, near Marbella, traditional Mediterranean features are combined with contemporary design, resulting in an innovative development featuring some truly magnificent penthouses with terraces and pergolas. Underground parking and storage, a residents’ elevator and a stunning communal pool are all included, with prices starting from €310,000.

Jade Beach, just 100 m from the seafront promenade between Puerto Banus and San Pedro de Alcantara, also features an exciting design that maximises outdoor space. The two and three bedroom apartments feature motorised sun blinds and underfloor heating, as well as top of the range sliding windows in the living room. The development has been designed to be one of the most advanced properties on the market, in terms of both energy savings and its integrated home control capabilities. Prices are from €450,000.

Taylor Wimpey España’s approach certainly seems to be paying off. Dutch buyers Eef Meijer and Lydia Kosijungan, who purchased their property at Los Arqueros Beach last year, summed it up beautifully when they commented,

“Very good sales guy. He told us the truth, he gave honest information. No defects at delivery! Very well documentation. We are very satisfied with Taylor Wimpey. An example for many other companies.”

The value to customers of buying a second home overseas through a known and trusted brand is clear: they get a high quality home, delivered on time and without the risks of using an unknown and untested company. They also receive excellent customer service at every stage of the purchase process. The customer service element alone is so important: a study from Loyalty360 found that 66% of US consumers were willing to pay more for a product if the brand delivered a positive customer experience.

Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard concludes,

“We’ve put a lot of work into building a brand that people can trust. It’s a process that takes time and commitment but the result is well worth it. We look forward to many more years of delivering high quality homes and making buyers’ property ownership dreams come true.”

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

• Spanish residential real estate investment to grow 6.6% in 2016 (Banco de España)
• Property values up 3.3% (Sociedad de Tasación)
• Marbella property sales up 89% from 2008 to 2014 (Knight Frank)

The Spanish property market crisis is over. At least that’s what Banco de España is saying. Director of Studies José Luis Malo de Molina comments,

“The adjustment of the real estate sector is, in principle, complete.”

At the same time, Spain’s GDP has grown for seven consecutive quarters and recently even more than expected: 0.9% in Q1 2015, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Property values are also on the up, increasing by 3.3% in the last year, based on figures from the Sociedad de Tasación Residential Real Estate Trends Report for Q2 2015.

Yet the true picture of the Spanish real estate sector is far more complex than these stark facts imply. Regional variations are huge and the market remains sensitive to external influences, based on the large number of foreign buyers. The Marbella Real Estate Market Insight 2015 Report from Knight Frank, for example, reveals an increase in sales in Marbella of 89% between 2008 and 2014.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“There are pockets of real success in terms of the real estate market in Spain right now, but the picture is far from consistent. It’s still a delicate market and changes in FX rates, along with international politics, are likely to play a big role in how the market is shaped going forward. Buyers are focussing on coastal areas and there is a lot of money coming into Spain from overseas as foreign purchasers look to pick up bargain homes by the sea before prices rise much higher.”

Taylor Wimpey España is the driving force behind a number of high profile new developments on the Costa del Sol. Avalon, located in one of the most sought after areas of Marbella, next to the prestigious Los Arqueros Golf course, is a charming residential complex with wide streets, a large communal pool and stunning golf and sea views. The luxury two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses are synonymous with the opulence for which the area is known, though for an extremely reasonable starting price of just €310,000.

“Avalon is a great example of market forces in action,” continues Pritchard. “It shows just how much you can get for your money in Spain right now and this is precisely what foreign buyers are looking for – high spec properties that they can enjoy now but that also hold the potential for future capital growth. Many are looking at second homes that they can use for years and then eventually retire to, or else sell on at a profit many years from now.”

Domestic buyers are also helping to reinvigorate the Spanish real estate market and the combined effect of this with interest from overseas investors has led Banco de España to predict growth of 4.2% for residential investment over the course of this year, followed by growth of 6.6% in 2016. The bank’s José Luis Malo de Molina observes,

“Demand, supported by foreign purchases and, more recently, domestic interest, shows signs of stabilising.”

Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard adds,

“Although the upturn is still patchy, we are seeing more and more areas reporting price increases as each month’s figures come in. It seems reasonable that by the end of this year, if not early next year, Spain will be able to report growth in every region so far as residential property is concerned. There is still fragility within the market, but with each passing month it is looking more robust.”

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

• Seville’s popularity up 107% thanks to Game of Thrones (Skyscanner)
• Mallorca filmings up 11% in 2014 (Mallorca Spotlight)
• Mallorca Film Festival celebrates its 10^th anniversary

Spain has long been the darling of movie and TV location specialists. With reliably fabulous weather, stunning open countryside and a plethora of ancient castles, crumbling fortifications and winding streets, it is the perfect place to shoot anything from blockbusters to hit TV series.

Game of Thrones, much of the current season of which has been filmed in and around Seville, is the latest high profile TV series to shoot on location in Spain, following in the footsteps of TV series Mad Dogs, which was filmed on the Balearic Island of Mallorca and biblical epic Clavius, also filmed in Andalucía.

Seville’s Alcázar Palace and the bullring in the nearby town of Osuna have featured prominently in the fifth season of hit show Game of Thrones and have led to a considerable boost in tourism in the region. Figures from Skyscanner reveal a 107% increase in searches for Seville by foreign tourists following the airing of the first episodes of the fifth season, compared with figures for the previous year.

Overall, tourism figures in Andalucía are up 9.6% during Q1 2015 compare with the same period in 2014, with the Andalucían Tourism Situation Survey recording a total of 4.27 million visitors during the quarter.

Nor is it just Andalucía that is enjoying the benefits of its blockbuster credentials. The Marbella International Film Festival, which is renowned for attracting a glitzy, star-studded crowd, this year celebrates its tenth year. Meanwhile the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival attracts a younger, hipper and more daring following and though only started in 2012 has already garnered an impressive reputation among the world’s international filmmakers.

Mallorca is enjoying a significant boom in its filming industry at present, with Mallorca Spotlight reporting an 11% increase in the number of films in 2014, compared with the previous year, with 137 filmings accounting for a total of 469 filming days on the island. The Palma Film Office can take some credit for the increase, having been set up to enable production companies to more easily obtain permits, close streets and use public buildings, with location scouts able to search its gallery of images in much the same way that a holidaymaker might browse a travel portal.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España and Mallorca resident, comments,

“It’s fantastic that Mallorca is enjoying such a boom in its reputation as a filming location. The fantastic weather and range of stunning locations provide an ideal environment for shooting everything from adverts to films and the island is fast becoming one of the movie industry’s favourite locales.”

Movie stars who enjoy their time on the island so much that they don’t want to leave can enjoy superior second homes at the stunning Cala Anguila II development, where beautiful apartments with direct access to the beach are available from €245,000. Owners of the high spec properties can enjoy spacious private gardens or roof terraces, as well as a delightful pool and peaceful grounds.

Those looking for a more affordable alternative need look no further than the selection of exclusive apartments and townhouses at Costa Beach, where prices start from as little as €240,000 for a two bedroom apartment. Direct beach access, lush gardens, a sizeable pool and fabulous sea views are just some of the development’s top features, while the local area also offers four excellent golf courses and a number of white, sandy beaches.

Homeowners on Mallorca can look forward to rubbing shoulders with a wide range of celebrities, either visiting the island to film their latest hit movie or simply enjoying Mallorca as an idyllic holiday destination. According to EuroTravel Magazine, Goldie Hawn, Eva Longoria, Sting, Joan Collins, Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffiths have all been spotted on the island recently, while Shane Ritchie likes to head there after filming finishes in the UK on a Friday, to spend the weekend in the sunshine before returning to England to continue filming the following week.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

• Spain tops Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index for first time (World Economic Forum)
• Spanish visitor numbers up 4.4% on previous year (Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism)
• Buying property in Spain is a ‘swift and easy process’ (Taylor Wimpey España)

There are some people for whom the idea of the perfect holiday involves exploring almost unchartered corners of the globe: following goat trails up remote mountains, or paddling a tiny canoe through a rainforest alive with the buzz of insects and the calls of colourful, exotic birds. Then there is the much larger group of tourists whose vacation demands are much simpler: they want somewhere warm to relax, with a nice pool, a beach nearby and a few good restaurant options for dinner.

While the first group of travellers are online trying to charter tiny propeller planes to take them to the back of beyond, following 20 hours of exhausting travel by plane, boat, bus and donkey, the second need look no further than the sunny shores of Spain, which has just been voted the world’s most tourist-friendly country.

It is the first time that Spain has topped the global biennial World Economic Forum Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index, having come fourth in 2013 and eighth in 2011. The Iberian country took top marks for its cultural resources and was ranked fourth globally both for supporting tourists’ online searches for entertainment and for infrastructure. Essentially, Spain is the very essence of an easy holiday in the sun.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España and resident of the Spanish island of Mallorca, comments,

“Spain is such a friendly country that it really deserves the top spot. It’s a wonderful place to visit and makes everything so easy, even for tourists who speak no more Spanish than a simple ‘gracias.’ Even buying property here is a swift and easy process compared to many other countries, so Spain is the ideal location for a second home.”

Second home ownership in Spain is extremely popular with buyers from the UK, Scandinavia and Belgium, as well as from other areas of Europe and beyond and, of course, owning a second home there makes the holiday booking process even easier. There’s no worrying about reading hotel reviews, trying to work out where the nearest beaches are or whether or not the villa you want to rent will be available. All that needs booking is a flight and away you go.

In keeping with all things easy, those looking for key-ready Spanish properties would do well to consider Cala Magrana III, at Porto Cristo, Mallorca. With two bedroom apartments available from €230,000, the complex enjoys close proximity to the sea, the marina of Porto Cristo and several excellent golf courses. Ground floor apartments feature spacious terraces and private gardens, while those on the top floor have wonderful roof terraces. The development is finished off with a sizeable swimming pool and richly scented communal gardens.

Certainly Spain’s charms are working for the masses. 16 million international tourists visited the country during the first four months of 2015, up 4.4% over the previous year, according to the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism. Brits accounted for 3.3 million visitors, followed by the French at 2.6 million and Germans at 2.5 million. Regardless of their origin, all of these travellers have had the chance to enjoy the ease of visiting Spain and the chance to soak up some sunshine with barely a moment’s hassle.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

• Spain to achieve annual growth of 30% (Newton)
• Unemployment down 2.7% in April (Labour Ministry)
• 2015 to be ‘pivotal year’ for Spanish property market (PERE)

After years of gloom, the headlines are suddenly full of news about Spain’s bright future. Economic growth projections have been revised upward by Fitch, while Spain has been affirmed at a BBB+ rating. According to the data reviewed by Fitch, Spain’s growth in Q4 2014 reached 2% – higher than that of Germany and out-performing the Eurozone as a whole. Newton Investment Management has even noted that some analysts are predicting Spain to achieve annual growth of 30% over the coming years, making it the largest economy in Europe.

Even the unemployment rate looks to be headed in the right direction, with April seeing a record fall of 2.7%. But for those living and working inside the Spanish economy, is the picture as rosy as the current headlines would seem to imply?

“Well, yes and no!” comments Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España. “Unemployment has fallen sharply, but still stood at 23.8% for the first quarter of the year – so that’s more than one in five people who want to work yet can’t. It’s a stark figure, but actually there does seem to be a sense that the country has turned the corner, certainly among those who run businesses here.

“Economic recovery from a crash as spectacular as those that happened around the globe during the 2007/08 financial crisis is a long and slow process, but it looks like Spain now has the building blocks that it needs in place in order to expand and achieve stability once more. It’s a country on the brink of great things – we’re not quite there yet, but we’re certainly headed in the right direction.”

Such a position creates a wealth of opportunities for investors and in particular for property investors, who have watched as Spain’s prices dropped to an average of 40% below pre-crisis values, waiting for the perfect moment to step in and snap up bargains.

The PERE Real Estate Investment in Spain and Southern Europe’s opening statement says it all,

“The Spanish economy is growing at its fastest pace since 2008. With unemployment falling, consumer spending increasing and property prices on average 40% below what they were before the start of the crisis, 2015 is set to be a pivotal year for Spain’s property markets.”

Tourism and tourist properties, from hotels to second homes, are a core component of the Spanish market and strongly reflective of visitors’ confidence in what Spain has to offer. According to the Minister for Industry, tourism-based employment has posted the highest figures on record every month since May 2014.

“Visitors are back in their droves,” confirms Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard. “We’ve noticed a real peak in those looking to buy a second home in Spain and Mallorca in particular is attracting a lot of interest right now.”

Taylor Wimpey España knows the island’s property market well. Their developments there range from key-ready apartments at Cala Magrana III for €230,000, to exclusive frontline townhouses for €560,000 at Cala Magrana Mar. Both sites offer idyllic locations close to some of the island’s best beaches, as well as featuring the signature Taylor Wimpey España combination of outside terraces, pretty communal grounds and well-proportioned swimming pool.

So are Spain’s hard times firmly in the past?

“Not yet, but we’re getting there,” concludes Pritchard. “Rebuilding a stable and prosperous economy isn’t easy but we are persevering and Spain can finally see a much brighter future on the not-too-distant horizon.”

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

• Impact of cycling in the EU worth more than $265 billion per year (European Cyclists’ Federation)
• Perfect Mallorca properties for cyclists available from €245k (Taylor Wimpey España)
• Cycling tourists in Mallorca up from 100,000 in 2013 to 150,000 in 2014 (Newsweek)

From domestic travellers to visitors from overseas, it seems that everyone is planning to enjoy a spot of Spanish sunshine this year. According to the Alliance for Tourism Excellence (Exceltur), GDP was up 3.5% during Q1 2015, due mainly to a 10% rise in demand from Spanish travellers during January and February.

Q1 2015 also saw record visitor numbers from overseas, with Spain enjoying some 10.6 million visitors during the quarter – an increase of 5.3% according to the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism. The Brits led the charge to the sunshine, with 2.1 million heading to Spain between January and March, up 9.5% from the previous year.

Tourism is a crucial element of the Spanish economy. Based on the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2015 Spain guide, it directly contributed 5.6% of GDP during 2014 (€58.8 billion), with this figure forecast to rise by 3.3% during 2015.

Naturally, some areas benefit more from visitor numbers than others and the Balearic Island of Mallorca is a perfect case in point. Figures from Spanish property portal Kyero.com illustrate how much difference tourist appeal can make in terms of demand for property. The Kyero Enquiry Report for Q1 2015 showed that for the nation as a whole, those looking to purchase property searched mainly in the €50-100k price bracket, yet on Mallorca the majority of enquiries were for properties costing €150-200k.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España and resident of Mallorca, comments,

“Mallorca has a thriving property sector and tourism is definitely a key driver of the market here. Second homes on Mallorca are highly prized, particularly by buyers from the UK, Germany and the Nordic countries.”

Not only does Mallorca enjoy stunning coastal scenery and a wealth of water-based activities, from cave tours to wind-sailing, but it also has a rich sporting presence for those who prefer not to get their feet wet. Cycling is particularly popular on the island, as it is in many European destinations. In fact, figures released in 2013 from the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) estimated that the impact of cycling in the EU reached well in excess of $265 billion per year, or more than $530 for every person living in the EU.

According to the ECF, cycling is excellent news for local economies. A visitor on a bike spends an average of £25 per day on local food and services, compared to just £7.30 spent by visitors in cars. On Mallorca, where cycling tourists increased from 100,000 in 2013 to 150,000 in 2014, their expenditure makes a serious impact.

Mallorca is increasingly being seen as one of the best destinations in Europe for cycling holidays. From extensive planes to challenging mountain terrains, the island offers cyclists every gradient they could wish for, along a network of roads that are in excellent condition and have minimal car traffic. Amateurs coast along in the sunshine, toning and tanning at the same time, while pros flock to the ‘Vuelta a Mallorca’ every February as part of their annual training plan for the world’s major competitions. From shops to hotels, Mallorca has a whole host of attractions dedicated to those who opt to enjoy life on two wheels.

“Mallorca is a fantastic destination for keen cyclists,” confirms Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard, “And cycling is an increasingly important contributor to the island’s economy. The industry has boomed in recent years and looks set to carry on doing so for the foreseeable future.”

Marc particularly recommends the Porto Cristo area as a base for those looking to explore the island by bike. The gently rolling landscape is perfect for cycling enthusiasts looking to zoom around and the stunning beaches provide the perfect spot for a refreshing dip in the sea to soothe tired muscles in the ultimate salt bath. Taylor Wimpey España’s Cala Anguila II development there features two bedroom, two bathroom apartments from €245,000. The coves of Cala Anguila, Cala Romántica and Cala Mandía are within easy reach, while the resort also enjoys its own pool and verdant grounds.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.