As 2014 smashes Spain tourism record, what does 2015 hold in store?

The gain in Spain: more money, more jobs, more tourists, more choice – 2014 has been a good year

The remaining few days of 2014 have sprinkled yet another sugary dose of good news across Spain, prompting the question – just what lies in store next year?

While hundreds of lucky lottery punters rattled off champagne corks after winning their share of the famous €2.2 billion El Gordo lottery – the world’s most generous lottery prize pool and a Spanish Christmas tradition – one lucky Brit was being welcomed at Málaga airport with a warm handshake and a free hotel stay after becoming the city’s 10 millionth tourist…

Elsewhere, figures from the Spanish tourist board revealed that the first 11 months of the year saw Spain smash its previous tourism record, with 61.7 million visitors recorded between January and November. This is both an annual record and more than all of 2013 combined, with experts suggesting that 2015 will see that record extended even more, with more than 65 million set to visit Spain next year.

Lucky winners of El Gordo enjoy a spot of sticky revelry

And if that triumvirate of t’rrific news was not enough, the Bank of Spain also reported that the ‘end of market adjustment’ is in sight, which spells positive news for the country’s recovering property market.

All of this appears to point to one immutable truth – 2015 could be a truly pivotal year for Spain: for the country’s economy, its property market, its job market, its citizens and its tourism industry.

This is welcome news in many ways. Not only does the reality of improved GDP and confidence boost the incomes and wellbeing of millions of Spaniards, but the accuracy of many experts’ predictions this time last year and throughout 2014 lends credence to the belief that Spain’s (often painful) reforms were the right action to take.

Yes, there is a general election next year, the result of which could accelerate or deflate the recovery, but largely Spain’s politicians and its people have managed to turn the country around. The chances are that 2015 will see Spain grow even more, which spells great news for any would-be investors or home hunters hoping to purchase that dream home in the Spanish sun.