Spain’s marketing agencies recently started to put more effort into targetting potential visitors from emerging markets, notably India and China. Often the term ‘emerging market’ is associated with other terms like manufacturing, balance of trade, production, imports and exports. Now we can add tourism as a term associated with emerging markets.

Not that tourism boards have neglected reaching out to potential new clients in the past. From Europe to the United States to South America and Asia, tourist industries were and are keen to attract bigger markets.

But for the first time, Spain has established a Spanish tourism office in Mumbai, India. The goal is to establish Spain as a tourist destination among Indian holidaymakers – and Menorca could benefit this year as first time holidaymakers arrive.

The opening of the Mumbai office follows on the heels of the merger between British Airways and Iberia Airlines. Part of the strategic plan is to establish Barajas Airport in Madrid as an international hub facility. This will enable more direct flights to Barajas from Europe.

More importantly for the immediate future, direct flights can be slotted in from India as well. It doesn’t take a great leap of imagination to conclude that the same strategy will be employed in regard to China down the road.

Spain has had to face setbacks in recent years. Like the rest of the world, the 9/11 attacks on New York City sent all travel into a tailspin. Not only did leisure travel suffer, but business travel did as well. As things gradually returned to some semblance of normality, Spain took another hit. Spain’s subway system was the target by terrorists on two occasions. Once again the effect was a slow down of tourist traffic.

But the Spanish government and its people are nothing if not resilient. With so much to offer in terms of culture, art, relaxation, natural beauty, shopping and cuisine, the tourist board is determined to make the entire country a holiday destination unique from the rest of Europe.

And why not? With hundreds of regional and national parks, tremendous mountain ranges, hundreds of miles of inviting beachfront, stunning architecture and a seemingly unending array of sports and cultural offerings, one would be hard pressed not to find an idyllic way to spend holidays.

Attracting an upscale clientele should be an easy sell for the Mumbai office. Menorca’s sister islands of Majorca and Ibiza have already become favourite stops for both the lesser known wealthy tourists and celebrities from all over the world. From fashion to nightlife, from penultimate accommodations to world class cuisine, Majorca and Ibiza with their combination of glitz and elegance are ‘go to’ places for the rich and famous.

And as the Balearics are visited, so Menorca will be considered as well for those with families, who prefer the peace and quiet the island offers, and enquiries will soon translate into people taking holidays in Menorca.

Add to that some of the other Spanish islands like Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, it really does emphasise how unique Spain is. Lanzarote with its sublime beaches and captivating surfing venues has much to offer, especially in the winter when people visit because of the good Lanzarote weather.

The Spanish tourism industry is going all out to secure a substantial share of the emerging market tourist trade. And while they are focusing in the short term on India and China, the world tourist board recently identified the top 10 emerging market countries that will undoubtedly be wooed as well. They include, in addition to India and China, Montenegro, Croatia, the Republic of Congo, Vietnam, Romania, Namibia, Hong Kong and Chad.

Clearly there is an enormous potential for tourism within these emerging markets. Certainly Spain is not alone in desiring to gain as much of this market as possible. As they unroll their three-year strategy, it is also clear that they are doing everything they can to highlight the uniqueness of their country. Don’t be surprised if you are going to Menorca this year to see a few more Indian and Chinese tourists on the island.

More details for Menorca are available with http://www.yourmenorca.net and comments with photographs for holidays in Menorca are often on social media such as myspace

Here’s some news from Sarah Barford at Menorca a Cavall.

Menorca a Cavall welcomes those who are taking a Menorca holiday who would like to see the island on horseback - and what a fantastic way it is too, because not only do you get to see parts of Menorca you would otherwise miss, but it can often be one of the highlights of a holiday in Menorca.

If you’re booking a holiday to Menorca be sure to visit them for a fun few hours (they’re open all year round), and it doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced horserider or a complete novice as Menorca a Cavall look after all their visitors even if you’ve never ridden a horse before. Their internet site details are at the end of Sarah’s report.

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Winter Horse Riding at Menorca a Cavall

In spite of the ‘crisis’ year, we have had the busiest summer ever running horse riding excursions at Santa Rita. The beach excursions have proved to be a real winner this year; everyone loves the idea of riding a horse along the coast, be it strolling slowly along to enjoy the stunning scenery or galloping flat out across the sand. We can take 9 horses at a time in our horsebox to Binimela on the north coast, from there we ride either towards Pregonda beach or in the direction of Cavalleria, through a truly stunning bit of coastal scenery, it’s a really unforgettable trip!

The excursions around the finca are also been very popular, and with almost 500 acres to explore we can always find a suitable route for each group of riders. It’s my second summer running excursions for Tolo, the owner of Menorca a Cavall, and it’s been a real pleasure to introduce visitors to the island to a bit of the real Menorca which they would normally never see. We ride along part of the historic Cami d’en Kane and on trails through the  ‘holm oak’ woodland originally built to bring out the charcoal which used to be made in the forest. There are some fantastic all-round views of the island from the high points of the rides, all this combined with the unique atmosphere of a traditional working finca means there is plenty for everyone to enjoy at Santa Rita.

I always especially enjoy guiding competent riders,  they all love the sheer thrill of galloping through the fields or along the beach on a fit horse, many of them never get the chance to ride fast at home so it’s great to give them a chance to really ‘go for it’! By contrast we also have many ‘first-time’ riders like one lady in her 70’s who told me she had wanted to ride a horse all her life but could never pluck up the courage, we took her out for a leisurely amble on Zag, our oldest and quietest horse, and she loved it, what a privilege to be able to help someone fulfil their lifelong ambition!

Another of my memorable clients was a young lad with an American accent who had been brought along by his Mum, a keen rider. ‘This is definitely the worst day of my life’ he announced on being hoisted up onto Avelino, I count it as one of my great success stories that after an hour’s ride including his first trot he was asking Mum if he could take ‘classes’ back home, also could she please buy Avelino to take away with him! 

It was a real relief to see the first rain in September after such a hot summer, Santa Rita has now been transformed  back to a sea of green fields, the flowers of autumn have appeared and with them the butterflies and birds. We also have some new additions: a border collie pup named Alaska, her friend Bolet a little kitten, and plenty of new lambs.  If any of you want to come horse riding this is the best time of year.  Menorca a Cavall is open every day all year and we welcome anyone, whether you are an experienced rider, perhaps you used to ride years ago or you have never been on a horse but would like to give it a go.  I want to form a winter riding group of people of all abilities who would like to ride with me regularly at Santa Rita, to enjoy good company and riding out together on fit horses, also to explore some new routes along the Cami de Cavalls.

 Anyone interested in winter riding please phone me, Sarah, on 971 378 958 and I will be pleased to tell you more, I can get a discount for regular riders so it’s really good value! Full details of excursions and prices, and lots of photographs can be found on our web site www.menorcaacavall.com          

Are you visiting Menorca on holiday, and hoping to have some days out?

For some ideas on what is available on the island for your holidays in Menorca, along with contact details visit http://www.yourmenorca.net/attractions

Quite how deep the fall in visitor numbers to Spain from other European countries has been revealed by figures showing the number of arrivals at Spain’s airports earlier this year - and it hasn’t set a good precedent for 2009 as a whole for the Spanish holidays industry.

At first glance the figures for Spanish tourism look impressive - 11.08 million arrivals for January. But it’s when it’s compared to the same month for 2008 that the figures start to look less good - down nearly 12 per cent.

And more recently another report which looks at how the Spanish holidays market is doing in the run up to the peak summer holiday months indicate as many as half of all holidays in Spain could be unsold, and that near 12 per cent drop in January could look quite good by the end of the year if people don’t start booking their normal Tenerife or Menorca holidays for example pretty soon.

Spain will be hoping that people who have holidayed there before will remember just how good a holiday in Spain is, and decide whatever the economic uncertainties are at home that a trip to Spain will brighten them up - and brighten the Spanish holidays industry up at the same time!

Majorca for example has been a major summer holiday destination for several years. Many people don’t realise the magnificent deals to be taken advantage of during the winter months as well though. Winter visitors can stay at the same beautiful, award winning hotels and resorts for a fraction of the price of the summer holidays season. Winter time is also the season when you can enjoy newly ripened citrus fruit from the local groves. Wintertime holiday packages can be booked for as little as 325 euros.

Many people prefer the slower paced winter holidays to the hustle and bustle of the busy summer holiday season, and Spain will be hoping that as the year goes by the European economies will pick up, and more out of season bookings will occur from those who didn’t visit in the summer. Temperatures in the winter season on Majorca range from 6 degrees Celsius (42 degrees Fahrenheit) to 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit). These mild temperatures help make Majorca the perfect wintertime destination for those who enjoy cooler temperatures and mild winter weather. Helping Majorca is the fact that recently three of her hotels have received Excellence and Leisure Nominations and Awards.

Also recognised for some really good holiday accommodation has been Majorca’s sister island of Menorca.

In a year when Menorca and other holiday destinations need good news to remind tourists why they should visit, three Menorca hotels have done well on the Spanish holiday island.

Menorca is well known in Europe as an ideal island for villa holidays - of the three Balearic Islands it’s quieter than both Majorca and Ibiza, and is popular with families looking to spend quality time together, and part of Menorca’s appeal are the family friendly restaurants and beaches.

So the fact that Menorca has been recognised for her hotels as well as traditional villa holidays is welcome at a time when the holidays market is battling the recession to keep the tourists flying in for a week or two’s Menorca holidays.

The Hotel Apartments Princesa Playa in Cala en Bosc is named as one of the world’s best family hotels - reinforcing the Menorca holidays image as one of being family friendly.

The other two Menorca hotels that get a mention in the European best hotels category are the Blanc Palace in Sa Caleta and the Royal Son Bou in Son Bou - both previously not particularly well known of all the hotels in Menorca.

And while hotels in Menorca continue to provide excellent service and standards of accommodation, the island has every chance of staying as a top holiday location.

In 2009 when Menorca and other holiday destinations need good news to remind tourists why they should visit, three hotels have helped with some good publicity.

Menorca is well known in Europe as an ideal island for villa holidays - of the three Balearic Islands it’s quieter than both Majorca and Ibiza, and is popular with families looking to spend quality time together, and part of Menorca’s appeal are the family friendly restaurants and beaches.

So the fact that Menorca has been recognised for her hotels as well as traditional villa holidays is welcome at a time when the holidays market is battling the recession to keep the tourists flying in for a week or two’s Menorca holidays.

The Hotel Apartments Princesa Playa in Cala en Bosc is named as one of the world’s best family hotels - reinforcing the Menorca holidays image as one of being family friendly.

The other two Menorca hotels that get a mention in the European best hotels category are the Blanc Palace in Sa Caleta and the Royal Son Bou in Son Bou - both previously not particularly well known of all the hotels in Menorca.

Son Bou where the Royal is located is home to the largest and, for many visitors, best beach on Menorca, accessible via a tunnel down the road from Alaior. This resort has two hotels at the eastern end. With just shy of two kilometers of beach bars, there is no shortage of opportunity for fun. For the more modest holidaymaker, note that the farther west you go on this beach, the more scantily dressed the beach-goers are. It is perhaps not a good choice for a family holiday, but an ideal spot for couples or a group of friends.

But while Son Bou is a popular area, for small island Menorca has a surprisingly diverse range of villages to suit different holidaymakers depending uponwhat they are looking for.

Not far from Son Bou is Santa Tomas for example. The beach area in Santo Thomas offers popular busier stretches and quaint hideaways. At a couple of miles long, it’s never overcrowded and offers protection with its surrounding sand dunes. The beach, patrolled for safety, is long and narrow. It offers an excellent swimming habitat, fine sand and warm surf. Scenic countryside and woods provide a backdrop to the sand and the Mediterranean.

S’Algar is a small resort located on the southeast coast of Menorca, a short distance from the capital of Menorca Mahon and Sant Lluis. This is a ‘purpose-built’ holidays resort, and it is very well cared for and offers a good selection of accommodation, which includes two large hotels, several apartment complexes and some privately owned villas. You’ll also find a fair number of bars and restaurants along with a variety of shops. If you want to be active during your Menorcan resort holiday and not just lounge around, S’Algar has a host of sports facilities for you to enjoy. There is no beach here, however. You’ll have to travel to Cala Alcaufar, about a 15 minute walk.

Punta Prima is another popular Menorca village and has several hostels, hotels, apartments and villas to rent and a good selection of bars and restaurants for the convenience of its visitors. Unlike some of the other resorts in Menorca, Punta Prima also has two supermarkets and car rental facilities. If you are looking for a beach, you’ll find a beautiful one at Punta Prima, but be wary of the currents - they can be very strong at times. Take note of the warning flags that will alert you to the safety conditions of the water.

Binibeca Village is a beautiful, quiet resort consisting of Cala Torret in the east and Binebeca Vell to the west. This resort consists of all low rise apartments and villas and offers no high rise accommodation. The area around Binibeca has a variety of high quality bars, restaurants and stores.

But wherever you choose to spend Menorca holidays these days it appears that the hotels are giving the villas a run for their money at last!