Foreign visitors to Murcia up 8.1% - Way above national average
Murcia welcomed 342,054 foreign tourists in the first seven months of 2013, up 8.1% on the same period last year. 25,589 more visitors have so far selected the region for their holidays in 2013, with the French and British leading the charge.
Chris Mercer, Director of Murcia-based estate agent Mercers, is adding the good news to a rather successful year so far. “Last month we reported that Mercers had completed 70% more residential property sales in the first half of 2013 than for the same period in 2012,” says Chris, “and it seems this positivity extends from the real estate industry to the tourist industry. Not only has Murcia enjoyed a bumper year, but Spain as a whole received 34 million foreign visitors – up 2.9% on 2012 and officially a new Spanish record. What’s more, they’re spending more money – 6% higher than 2012. Incredibly good news for a country that relies heavily on tourism to fuel its economy.”
According to data from the Government’s official tourism statistics department, Frontur, Murcia’s 8.1% increase is well above the national average of 3.9%. It comes only second to the neighbouring region of Valencia which experienced an increase of 11.8%.
For July, the UK was Murcia’s main source of tourists with a 2.8% increase over 2012 contributing 50.1% of foreign arrivals to the Region. The French took an 11.4% share, a large 15.4% increase over July 2012. Meanwhile the Nordic nations of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden provided Murcia’s third largest source market for July at 10.6%, an increase of 15.1% over 2012. By far the biggest increase at 45.8% came courtesy of German, Dutch and Belgian visitors, each taking around 8% of the total. Russian arrivals were up six fold but numbers are minimal in comparison.
Looking at Spain as a whole, July smashed all previous records with the arrival of 7.8 million foreign tourists, 321,000 more than in 2012. Russians again staged the biggest increase, 30% year on year, with the Nordic nations at 18%. Catalonia, capital Barcelona, is Spain’s biggest draw receiving 25.8% of all visitors to Spain. Instability in Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt is thought to have contributed to Spain’s extraordinary tourism success.
For the cost of several family package holidays, this two bedroom one bathroom Clasico-style terraced villa is presented in immaculate condition (Ref CLAC100 – Clasico Style Villa, Camposol Golf, Mazarron, Murcia) for only 47,995 euros (approx 40,990 GBP).
Priced to sell, the home is fully furnished, has satellite television and a small front garden with citrus trees as well as front and rear patios – the former south facing for year-round sunshine. A real bonus is the rooftop mountain-view solarium with built-in barbecue accessed from stairs on the rear patio. Storage for sun loungers is found up here with additional storage created underneath the access staircase. Inside the lounge has a feature flame effect fireplace, the kitchen comes fitted with white goods, both bedrooms have built-in wardrobes and the bathroom has a shower over bath.
Built area 92m², two bedrooms, one bathroom
Price – 47,995 euros (approx 40,990 GBP)
Or how about a very cheap property for only 35,000 euros (approx 29,800 GBP) that should be priced 15,000 euros more than it is, but in need of an urgent sale (Ref RED105 – Terraced Villa, Camposol Golf, Mazarron, Murcia). Never been lived in yet already partly furnished, the terraced ‘Rebecca’-style home needs a little cosmetic attention and then it’s your blank canvas for holiday living. To the front is a large full-length open terrace with pergola and there is a similar terrace to the rear with stairs up to a third substantial roof terrace. Inside is a generous lounge with dining area, fitted kitchen and two double rooms both with fitted wardrobes. The family bathroom has a shower over bath.
Two bedrooms, one bathroom
Price - 35,000 euros (approx 29,800 GBP)
Camposol Golf has an 18-hole course, four star Spa hotel and plenty of shops, restaurants and bars on site including an opticians, vets, medical centre, hairdressers and a weekly market. The blue flag beaches and marina of Mazarron are within a 15 minute drive.
For more information, visit spanishproperty.co.uk.
