Figures from the Spanish tourist board show the number of Brits holidaying in Spain in the second quarter to June fell by 5 per cent compared to last year. Overall, the number of visitors to Spain was down 0.7 per cent. Of course, the British love affair with Iberia has not ended yet - Spain is still our favourite holiday destination, attracting about 12 million visitors each year. But the effect of the credit crunch, combined with the strength of the euro and the choice of cheaper destinations, has led many British tourists to say 'adiós España'. Others believe the British may also be tiring of the Spanish formula of sun, sand, sea and sangría. Frances Tuke, of the Association of British Travel Agents, says the bubble may have burst for Spain, which has seen a steep rise in visitors since 1997. 'People have different choices, perhaps we are tiring of the same thing.'
Down the coast from Benidorm, Marbella has long been a resort favoured by retired soap stars and a certain type of perma-tanned Briton. But there are hints here that, just like Benidorm, holidaymakers may be turning their backs on its charms.
Fewer Britons are filling the leather seats at Giangrossi, a 'designer ice cream lounge bar'. Owner Joanna Dunbar says she has heard complaints along the coast about the drop in visitor numbers. 'I grew up here and would defend the place, but I would not come here as a tourist. I don't blame people for looking elsewhere.'
Dunbar said people had been put off by a multimillion-pound civic corruption scandal which had led to the dissolution of Marbella city council and left hundreds of British property owners fearing that their illegally built homes could be demolished. José Luis Zoreda, vice-president of the industry body Alliance for Tourist Excellence, said the drop in British visitors 'clearly sounded the first alarm bells'. Other countries have seen tourist numbers rise - Turkey and Egypt by 15 per cent and 22 per cent respectively in the second quarter of 2008.
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