GEO PP 2.2

Introduction to the Geography of Tourism

• Tourism destinations worldwide are discussed
• Dr. Nachatter Singh Garha is the professor
• Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, Barcelona school of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy (CETT), University of Barcelona

Spain and Catalonia as a Tourist Destination

• Basic facts about Spain:
  • Officially the Kingdom of Spain
  • Member of the European Union
  • Located in South-Western Europe
  • Area: 504,403 sq.kms
  • Population: approximately 47 million
  • Capital: Madrid
• Characteristics and typologies of tourism
• Large areas and typologies of tourism, future challenges
  • Europe: outbound and inbound tourism worldwide
  • Asia and Pacific
  • Africa
  • Americas
  • Polar zones (Arctic and Antarctic)

Spain: Political Divisions

• 17 Autonomous communities
• 2 Autonomous cities
• 52 Provinces
• 8131 Municipalities

Spain: Topography

• Located in the Iberian Peninsula (occupies about 85% of it)
• Borders Portugal, Gibraltar, Morocco, and France/Andorra
• Includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean
• Number of uninhabited islands in Mediterranean Sea
• Mountain ranges include Pyrenees, Cordillera Cantábrica, Sistema Ibérico, Sistema Central, Montes de Toledo, etc.
• Highest point is Teide, a 3,718m active volcano in the Canary Islands

Spain: River Systems

• River basin information (codes and names)
• River altitude information (in meters)
• Gauging stations (with detected step changes)

Spain: Climatic Zones

• Three main climatic zones:
  • Mediterranean climate: dry and warm summers
  • Semiarid climate: south-eastern quarter of the country, dry season extends beyond summer
  • Oceanic climate: northern quarter of the country, influenced by the ocean, no seasonal drought
• Other sub-types can be found
• Alpine climate in Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada
• Subtropical climate in the Canary Islands

Spain - Inbound Tourism

• Total Arrivals in country over time
• Arrivals in country by region of origin
  • Africa, Americas, East Asia, Europe, Middle East, Other not classified, South Asia
• Arrivals by transportation mode
  • Air, Land, Water
• Arrivals by Main Purpose of trip
  • Personal, Business and professional
• Total Guests in country
  • Hotels and similar establishments Guests, Total Guests
• Total Overnight stays in country
  • Hotels and similar establishments Overnights, Total Overnights

Spain - Domestic Tourism

• Total Overnight stays in country
• Total trips, Same-Day visitors, Overnights visitors

Number of Tourists by Autonomous Communities

• Data for 2015-2024 (monthly)
• Breakdown by Autonomous Community

Number of Tourists by Country of Residence

• Data for 2015-2024 (monthly)
• Breakdown by Country

Tourism Challenges in Spain

• Includes protests against mass tourism (e.g., "Tourists go home!")

Catalonia as a Tourist Region

• Catalonia is an autonomous community and historic region of Spain
• Includes provinces of Girona, Barcelona, Tarragona, and Lleida
• A triangular area in northeastern Spain
• Barcelona is the capital and a major international cultural center
• Tourism Destination & Cultural Center

Catalonia: Topography

• Geomorphological map & descriptions (Pyrenees, Pre-Pyrenees, Catalan Central Depression, smaller mountain ranges, Catalan transversal range, Catalan pre-coastal range, Catalan coastal range, Catalan coastal depression, coastal and pre-coastal plains)

Catalonia: Climate

• Climate zones in Catalonia (Atlantic Climate, Alpine Climate, Sub-Alpine Climate, Mediterranean Climate-High Mountains, Continental Climate-Hill regions, Mediterranean Climate-Coastal areas)

Catalonia: Tourism Zones

• Spectacular beaches in areas like Costa Brava
• World-class gastronomy
• Works of famous artists like Gaudí and Dalí
• Popular Destination

Catalonia Tourist Accommodations

• Data on Accommodations (Hotels, Hostels, Campsites, Rural Tourism)
• Occupancy (2003-2023)
• Beds / type (Hotels, Hostels, or pensions)

Catalonia Tourism - Travel Data

• Foreign tourists by reason for traveling (2016-2023)
• Foreign tourists by means of transport (2016-2023)
• Descriptions of Rural Tourism Brands
  • Pirineus, Costa Brava, Paisatges Barcelona, Costa Daurada, Costa Barcelona, Terres de Lleida, Terres de l'Ebre, Val d'Aran, Barcelona