Murcia invests out of the recession and in the reactivation of tourism

Economic recessions always have negative consequences, but their effects are not always entirely bad in the long run. As businesses become increasingly competitive, the importance of staying ahead of the game becomes an ever-increasing priority. When it comes to the travel and tourism industry, the importance of attracting new and existing customers can act as a focus of action in difficult times. The cloud of recession may turn out to be the silver lining for a better-managed local tourism industry, alleviating short-term hardships and allowing for significant benefits over time.

Such is the thinking of the authorities of the Spanish province of Murcia, who have decided to invest significant sums to improve and modernize the area’s transport infrastructure. In addition to the economic benefits of increased spending, such as increased employment, the improvements being made are expected to boost the tourism trade in the long term. One of the main objectives of the Murcia City Council is to increase access to the area, located in the southeast of the country on the Mediterranean coast.

Although the authorities are not complacent about the various attractions on offer throughout the province, they believe that their most important and pressing task is to improve travel logistics, facilitating entry, exit and movement within. This will be of great help and will support your efforts to improve the number of visitors and improve the experience that visitors to Murcia will have. Although the things to do in the sunny province are quite varied, the authorities have come to the conclusion that they will not be enough on their own unless better and easier transport is available.

As attractions spread throughout the 4,500 square mile area, infrastructure improvements leave no mode of transportation or area unattended, spanning road, rail and air. Culturally, the province has museums, monuments, exhibitions and theaters. Being a marine area, there are beaches, spas, trails and caves as well as architectural spaces. Sports facilities also include golf courses, allow water sports such as sailing and also allow adventure tourism. In addition to restaurants, cinemas, casinos and bullrings, there is also a wide variety of shopping centers and markets. A dedicated and concerted effort to improve access to these attractions will be vital to the continued and improved success of the Murcian tourism industry.

200 million euros of central government funds will be allocated to improving the motorways that run through Murcia. In addition, the Diputación allocates 8.7 million euros to improve the roads that connect the port town of Campo de Cartagena with the Mar Menor lagoon, which houses the largest natural lake in Spain.

One of the main reasons for the improvement of the road network is the construction of the new airport in Corvera, 20 miles from the coast. Murcia Airport, a €266 million project, is currently under construction and is expected to be fully operational by winter 2010. The large amount of money being invested illustrates the importance that the authorities attach to paper of air transport as part of regional travel. Industries The existing airport, located further away, has shown a year-on-year increase in passenger numbers of more than 20 percent. The new Corvera airport is expected to be able to better serve the tourism needs of the region as a whole, largely helped by recent and ongoing road improvements.

The railway is added to the highway and the air. The planned new AVE network, which stands for ‘Spanish High Speed’, already operates trains in parts of the country at speeds of up to 186 miles per hour on dedicated tracks. The ‘Mediterranean Arc’ phase of this national rail project will connect the capital, Madrid, with Valencia, Alicante, Murcia and Almería and is expected to be completed in 2009. The replacement of deteriorated cars with new high-speed trains will increase the number of passengers and will reduce travel times, allowing better access to the area and other parts of the country.

These improvements in the accessibility of Murcia will boost the number of visitors, the local tourist trade and the demand for accommodation both in the short and long term. Mike Hamilton, Director of Sales for local developer Casas de Lorca comments: ‘Improvements in transport around Murcia are very important to the continued and growing success of the area as a tourist destination. These developments will ensure that an increasing number of people can access the rich plethora of history, culture, attractions and activities that characterize the province. Over the next few years, the effect on sales and demand for rental properties and accommodation in cities like Lorca will be profound, not least because it will be even easier to come and go.”

Lorca is located in the Spanish province of Murcia and is a city full of cultural and historical features including museums, churches and a castle. Lorca is called the city of the sun and has many leisure facilities such as a theatre, cinema and hosts many concerts and festivals throughout the year.

The Casas de Lorca villas are only a twenty minute drive away and the location of these villas allows for stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area. Each classically designed villa has a staggering 5 acres of land that brings a new concept of royal privacy and lifestyle to Spain. There are three airports within an hour’s drive and high-speed trains make links to Madrid very popular too.

Casa Cordoba is a classic Andalusian-style 3 or 4-bedroom villa uniquely built around a glass-walled interior patio. Views through the living room and high tower fill the villa with plenty of light and provide stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Prices start from £236,900 / EUR319,000.