The Development of Mass Tourism in Spain

Vocabulary flashcards detailing the physical, political, and human factors driving mass tourism in Spain, along with its associated economic and environmental impacts.

Mass Tourism

The travel of large numbers of people to the same destination, typically for holiday purposes.

Economic Contribution of Spanish Tourism (2019)

In 2019, over $83\text{ million}$ tourists visited Spain, contributing €$178\text{ billion}$ to its economy, representing $14.6\%$ of its GDP.

Mediterranean Climate (Southern Spain)

A climate type characterized by hot, dry summers and warm, humid winters, with temperatures reaching approximately $25^\circ\text{C}$ even in November.

Costa del Sol

A coastal stretch in Spain with approximately $300\,\text{km}$ of beaches that attracts millions of holidaymakers, particularly from cooler, wetter Northern European nations.

Sierra Nevada

A mountain range in Spain that attracts skiers during the winter and spring seasons.

Balearic Islands

A group of Spanish islands consisting of Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, popular for their hot, dry climates.

Canary Islands

A Spanish island group comprising Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, noted for hot, dry weather and unique volcanic landscapes.

Ministry of Tourism and Information

A government department established by the Spanish government in 1962 to promote the country as a tourist destination.

Peseta

Spain's former national currency, which was devalued by the government to make holidays cheaper for foreign visitors with limited disposable income.

AVE

Spain's high-speed railway network that connects major inland cities like Barcelona and Madrid to southern coastal destinations.

Low-Cost Airlines

Budget air carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet that, along with seasonal charter flights, expanded tourist accessibility by reducing travel costs.

City-Break Tourism

Year-round tourism centered in urban destinations like Madrid and Barcelona, driven by architectural, cultural, and historical attractions and enabled by online booking.

Coastal Environmental Degradation

Damage along Spain's southern coast caused by large hotels and high-rise apartments destroying natural landscapes, obstructing views, and causing summer water shortages.

Sewage System Overwhelm

The failure of coastal infrastructure during peak tourist season, leading to untreated sewage spilling into the sea, beach contamination, aquatic damage, and harm to local fishing industries.

Socio-Economic Impacts of Mass Tourism

Issues arising from heavy reliance on tourism, including elevated property prices displacing locals, seasonal employment, and severe vulnerability to external disruptions like Covid-19 in 2020.