• 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.

• New Mallorca travel and tourism school set to be one of best in world (JSF)
• Average second home buyer in Spain is 55-64 and in fulltime employment (RMO)
• Key ready island properties available from €230k (Taylor Wimpey España)

Travel and tourism is far from a simple subject to study. While in essence the movement of people from A to B for brief periods of time seems straightforward, the complexities of interconnecting sectors, such as distribution, transport and food services, makes this a fascinating industry to study. Now, the announcement of the new JSF Travel and Tourism School on the Balearic island of Mallorca will provide a knowledge centre that is already being hailed as one of the best business schools in the world in its sector, enhancing the world’s understanding of this complex industry and how it interacts with businesses at a variety of levels.

The first cohort of pupils will start in September 2016. The school is the brainchild of the Junνpero Serra Foundation, which is working in partnership with 25 international business sponsors from Europe, Asia and America. It will specialise in research and innovation, as well as academic study.

Mallorca is no stranger to travel and tourism, having attracted generations of families to its sunny shores since it became popular in the 1950s. One of the companies thriving there thanks to the travel and tourism sector is leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which is this summer offering a range of luxury, key ready and off plan properties in idyllic locations across the island.

Marc Pritchard, the company’s Sales and Marketing Director, comments

“Mallorca is perfectly positioned to be home to one of the world’s leading travel and tourism business schools and it will be fascinating to see the research that is generated as a result of this new educational establishment being based here on the island.

“Obviously, working for Taylor Wimpey España, I can attest to how important tourism is to Mallorca, with investment in second homes here boosting the local economy and impacting on a range of other sectors. Travel and tourism clearly benefits Mallorca hugely, but it also benefits those who come here. The picturesque views, the calm lapping of the sea against the shore, the wonderful sights, scents and taste of the local cuisine – all of these are memories that visitors get to take with them when they leave.”

Interestingly, the recent Who’s Buying Property Overseas report from Rightmove Overseas has shed some light on those visitors – well, the ones who want a more permanent foothold on the island, anyway. According to the report, overseas buyers of Spanish property are on average aged between 55 and 64 (43%) and in fulltime employment. 67% of buyers are purchasing their property as a second home, while 22% are doing it to relocate.

Taylor Wimpey España is offering key ready and off plan properties in four developments this summer, so those looking for the holiday home of their dreams – or indeed a new permanent home – can start enjoying their new island property as soon as the paperwork has been completed. At Costa Beach, prices start at €262,000 for a two bedroom apartment. The development enjoys direct beach access and fantastic views out over the open sea.

At Cala Magrana III (prices from €230,000), buyers are spoiled for choice, with the sea, golf courses and a charming marina all in the vicinity. For particularly keen golfers, Camp de Mar Beach is the place to be. Two and three bedroom townhouses, located in the heart of the ‘Golf de Andratx,’ are available from €359,500.

Finally, Cala Anguila II offers well appointed apartments from €245,000. As with all of Taylor Wimpey España’s developments, the site provides richly foliaged gardens and a communal pool, as well as properties packed with contemporary, designer fixtures and fittings.

While the JSF Travel and Tourism School won’t be open until September 2016, those looking to be a part of Mallorca’s travel and tourism sector need not delay; thanks to key ready properties from Taylor Wimpey España they can purchase the perfect second home ready for this year’s summer holiday season.

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 construction activity growth double that of EU (Eurostat)
• Frontline Mallorca properties from €262k (Taylor Wimpey España)
• Mallorcan coast enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year (Holiday Weather)

“We’re providing good value for money in the best locations, with the best build quality and from a name that buyers can trust.”

It’s quite a claim that Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, makes, as he basks in the sun on his adopted homeland of Mallorca, where coastal regions enjoy around 300 days of sunshine per year according to Holiday Weather.

“Just look around you,” he continues, gesturing at the stunning backdrop of sparkling azure sea and deep, deep blue sky. “A lot of work goes into choosing the locations for our developments, so that our buyers really do get the best there is.”

It’s an ethos that is clearly apparent at Costa Beach, where Taylor Wimpey España is offering high spec, frontline properties from as little as €262,000. The price tag is impressive. The sea views are fabulous. The nearest golf course is just 900m away. The development enjoys spectacular communal grounds and a sizeable pool. Inside, the apartments include designer fixtures and fittings, air conditioning, double-glazing and security doors.

So far as good value for money is concerned, Pritchard certainly seems to be spot on, and when it comes to the best locations the properties really do speak for themselves. Over in Porto Cristo, close to the incredible Caves of Drach, as well as peaceful sandy beaches, astonishing coves and crystal waters that are perfect for practicing all kinds of water sports, Cala Magrana III (prices from €230,000) offers buyers arguably some of the best sea views on the island.

Just 3km from Porto Cristo, by the idyllic coves of Cala Anguila, Cala Romántica and Cala Mandía, Residencial Cala Anguila II (from €245,000) is perfect for those who love the sea, as well as those looking to spend time on some of Mallorca’s best kept golf courses.

Indeed the building of such high-end developments has helped push Spain ahead of the rest of Europe when it comes to construction.

According to Eurostat, Spain’s construction sector increased by 14.4% year-on-year to January 2015, compared with an EU average rise of only 3%. In monthly terms, Spanish construction activity grew by 2% from December 2014 to January 2015 – double the figure for the EU.

It is indicative of buyers’ trust in Taylor Wimpey España that the company was able to keep building throughout Spain’s difficult economic times. With the right product, the market remained solid, despite tales of desperation elsewhere in the property sector.

“We’ve been doing this a long time, some 50 years,” concludes the company’s Marc Pritchard, “And one of the reasons for that is that we listen to our customers and respond to their needs. From the ability to personalise their new apartments during construction, to selecting the perfect location, we make sure that we never stop learning from those who buy from us.”

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.

• Buyers from Russia, Britain, Germany, Scandinavia and Spain account for 61% of second homes purchased in Spain (Taylor Wimpey España)
• Spain has 573 blue flag beaches – more than any other country (Spain Guides)
• Luxury Mallorca townhouses available from €359,500 (Taylor Wimpey España)

Leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España has enjoyed a bumper start to 2015. Visitors to the company website are up by 16% and sales have increased during Q1 in all three locations in which Taylor Wimpey España operates: Mallorca, the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol.

Buyers from around the world have been charmed by Taylor Wimpey España’s luxurious new build properties, all of which come with the company’s signature blend of generously sized terraces, designer fixtures and fittings and communal pools and gardens. The company served buyers from 22 countries during Q1 2015, while those from Russia, Britain, Germany, Scandinavia and Spain made up 61% of the total number of sales.

“Spain offers a unique combination to buyers looking for sun-kissed luxury,” comments Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director. “Its numerous blue flag beaches (Spain has 573 in total – more than any other country) are perfect for families, while those with older children or travelling as a couple delight in its championship quality golf courses. The clement weather means that outdoor activities are rarely ‘rained off’ as they are in colder climes and the combination of sun and water makes for some fantastic memories.”

Buyers looking for a little luxury also delight in Spain’s gastronomic offering. Michelin starred restaurants rub shoulders with rustic tapas bars serving limited but exquisite menus, while excellent quality local wines abound. Spain has hundreds of native grape varieties, which grow well under the intense summer sun, ready for harvesting in autumn when they are plump and full of flavour.

Outdoor activities are a key driver for those with second homes in Spain, as well as in the Balearic Islands, where yachting is a popular pastime for families and friends. Taylor Wimpey España’s gated resort at Camp de Mar Beach in Puerto Andratx, Mallorca is one of the island’s most exclusive new developments. The two and three bedroom townhouses feature air conditioning and under floor heating throughout the properties, fully fitted kitchens with Silestone worktops, suspended washbasins in the bathrooms, double glazing and allocated exterior parking spaces. Prices start at €359,500 for a two bedroom townhouse.

For those looking to stay on the mainland, Los Arqueros Beach next to the wealthy towns of Marbella and Puerto Banus offers seriously luxurious properties from €385,000. Owners can enjoy not just their designer penthouses, but also the site’s two swimming pools, solarium and convenient access to the prestigious Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club, with its challenging par 71 course designed by Severiano Ballestero.

Mark Heaton, who bought a Taylor Wimpey España apartment in Benahavis, Marbella, highlighted the quality of the resort as one of the key factors in his decision-making process. Not only were he and his family delighted with the high specification and quality of their actual apartment, but also with the superbly tended gardens and foliage.

“It’s the details like that which are really important to our buyers,” explains the company’s Marc Pritchard. “There properties are finished to an incredibly high standard, but the work doesn’t stop there – we ensure that the pools, gardens, elevators and so forth are all just as impressive as the homes themselves.”

With such luxurious properties complementing the temptations of Spain’s weather, cuisine, natural beauty and sporting prowess, it is easy to see why so many buyers love to locate their second home there and why Taylor Wimpey España’s homes in particular strike a chord with those who enjoy the finer things in life.

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.

• Low cost airline passengers to Spain up 14.4% in 2015 (Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism)
• Tourist spending up 9.5% in January (INE)
• ‘Ultimate shopping purchase’ seafront apartments available from €262k (Taylor Wimpey España)

Low cost airlines are enjoying a notable boom in passenger numbers on their routes to Spain, according to the latest figures from the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism. Some 3.3 million travellers used low cost airlines to get in and out of Spain during the first two months of 2015, up 14.4% on the same period a year earlier.

Passengers from the UK make up around 1/3 of this total, while visitors from Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands also account for significant proportions of those looking to soak up some Spanish sunshine. The data shows that traditional (non-budget) airlines saw an increase in passengers of just 1.7% over the same period, highlighting the draw that low cost routes have.

New routes are helping to fuel the appetite for cheap flights to Spain. Norwegian has just launched three new Spanish routes from the UK’s Birmingham Airport, flying to Madrid, Malaga and Barcelona. Meanwhile Spanish airport operator Aena has revealed that more than 1 million flights have already been programmed to and from Spain for the summer season, an increase of 3.6% on the 2014 summer season.

A record 65 million tourists visited Spain last year according to the UN World Tourism Organization, enjoying its beaches, weather and cuisine. Now, though, the Iberian country has set its sights on encouraging tourists to spend the money they save on flights in its shops as well as its cafés and restaurants. Turespana’s Angela Castano comments,

“Spain has a major image deficit as a shopping destination.”

Figures from Innov Taxfree certainly back up the statement, showing that the average Chinese tourist in Spain spends €900, while in Paris the figure rises to €1,500.

“Spain is looking to court tourists by promoting its shopping offer this year,” comments Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España. “The country has some fantastic shopping destinations, but many visitors simply overlook the stores in favour of the beaches. Mallorca, for example, has a fantastic high end retail offering, while places like Marbella on the Costa del Sol are packed with retailers, from independent, boutique stores to national and international chains.”

Figures from INE for January 2015 show that the figures are starting to move in the direction that Spain would like. Tourist spending was up 9.5% on the same period last year, with 3.6% more visitors arriving and the average spend per visitor increasing by 5.7%.

Some of those visitors are looking for the ultimate shopping purchase – a property in the sunshine to use as a second home. On Mallorca, Costa Beach at Port Vell provides a selection of apartments on the island’s east coast, with a two bedroom apartment costing from €262,000. Four excellent golf courses are within a ten minute drive of the new resort, while direct beach access offers the ultimate idyllic location.

In Marbella, on the mainland, Los Arqueros Beach offers penthouse apartments from €385,000, just a few minutes’ stroll from the sea. The resort is ideally located for those wishing to enjoy the shopping meccas of Marbella and Puerto Banus, as well as the restaurants and nightlife spread throughout the old town and along the beachfront.

“Increased tourist spending in Spain’s shops is a win for everyone,” concludes Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard. “It stimulates the economy, promotes employment and serves to bolster the housing market. It should be a very positive summer for Spain this year as tourists save on their flights in order to spend while they are on holiday here.”

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.

• Sunshine and temperatures of 20C and upward for Easter on Mallorca (Weather .com)
• Travellers at Gatwick up 11% on 2014 this Easter (Gatwick Airport)
• Stunning Costa Beach apartments available from €262k (Taylor Wimpey España)

Easter in the UK is usually a mixed bag of time off work, hyperactive children, threatening rainclouds and enough chocolate to keep Weight Watchers in business until Christmas. Though this combo does have a certain British charm, increasingly the temptations of spending the Easter break overseas are winning over the hearts of those looking for the certainty of sunshine for their precious time off. Some 480,000 travellers are projected to take to the skies via London Gatwick alone this Easter weekend, representing an increase of 11% over 2014’s passenger numbers.

With the Spanish island of Mallorca just a couple of hours’ flight from the UK, long weekends there are easily achievable, as long-term resident Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, observes,

“With such a short flight time, spending Easter in Mallorca is easy for those living in the UK and with temperatures set to remain firmly in the 20s over the course of the long weekend, the Balearics are definitely a tempting prospect for a short getaway.”

Easter in Mallorca is a big event, with processions, feasting and celebrations held across the island. The processions have their origins in the 16^th century, when the Christian church set out to present the story of the Passion of the Christ to laypeople through street processions. While the religious element is still strong today, the festival atmosphere is one that those of all denominations can enjoy and the food that accompanies it is something that everyone should experience at least once!

But it is not just Easter that draws the crowds to Mallorca, popular though this time of year is. In fact, the island’s capital, Palma de Mallorca, was recently voted the best place in the world to live by the Sunday Times. The captivating old town, beaches within walking distance and slow-paced charm, intermingled with the modernity of ‘fancy shops’ were among Palma’s winning attributes.

For second home owners, coastal properties on the island are particularly popular, with the areas of Porto Cristo and Port Vell attracting those looking to enjoy the finer side of life on Mallorca. In Porto Cristo, the picturesque Cala Magrana III development is located close to the sea, as well as to nearby golf courses and the stunning Porto Cristo marina. The key ready apartments enjoy generously proportioned terraces and a large swimming pool with sunbathing area is available for all owners to enjoy. Prices begin at €230,000 for a two bedroom apartment – excellent value given the current exchange rate.

Costa Beach at Port Vell, on Mallorca’s eastern coast, is a first line residential complex offering access to white sandy beaches in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The calm, crystal clear sea is perfect for swimming, water sports and exploring the area’s numerous coves. The two and three bedroom properties start at €262,000, with buyers able to personalize the finish of their apartment (completion is due in June 2015).  Spacious terraces, pretty communal gardens and a large pool complete Costa Beach’s charms.

With Spanish Easter celebrations lasting for around 10 days, Mallorca and many other parts of Spain are already in full celebratory mode. Why not leave the chocolate at home and hop on a plane this weekend to see for yourself?

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.