At London’s World Travel Market (WTM) on 4 November, Marbella led a 40-meeting charm offensive aimed at tour operators and MICE planners, signalling renewed confidence now that post-Brexit travel formalities have settled. Tourism director Laura de Arce said the Costa del Sol city wants to reclaim pre-Covid corporate-incentive volumes and push winter-sun packages that ride on improved airlift from Birmingham and Bristol.
Spanish exhibitors noted that the new EU digital Schengen visa-calculator app, launched in September, has eased concerns among UK travellers about overstaying the 90/180-day rule. Airlines such as easyJet and Vueling used the show to unveil extra shoulder-season frequencies, while Málaga airport authority Aena briefed trade partners on planned e-gate expansions to cope with the forthcoming EES.
![Spanish destinations court UK market at World Travel Market as post-Brexit paperwork stabilises]()
From a global-mobility perspective, the WTM buzz matters: corporate-relocation managers often align assignment start dates with seat capacity and accommodation rates. Marbella’s town hall said it is finalising a co-working visa-support desk to capitalise on Spain’s Digital Nomad visa, issued under the 2023 Startup Law and now accounting for 12 % of new residence permits in the province.
Retail and hospitality federations warned that long-running Ryanair baggage-handler strikes could dampen late-season bookings if not resolved. Nevertheless, Turespaña forecasts UK arrivals to Spain will exceed 18 million in 2025, just 4 % shy of 2019’s record.
Spanish exhibitors noted that the new EU digital Schengen visa-calculator app, launched in September, has eased concerns among UK travellers about overstaying the 90/180-day rule. Airlines such as easyJet and Vueling used the show to unveil extra shoulder-season frequencies, while Málaga airport authority Aena briefed trade partners on planned e-gate expansions to cope with the forthcoming EES.
From a global-mobility perspective, the WTM buzz matters: corporate-relocation managers often align assignment start dates with seat capacity and accommodation rates. Marbella’s town hall said it is finalising a co-working visa-support desk to capitalise on Spain’s Digital Nomad visa, issued under the 2023 Startup Law and now accounting for 12 % of new residence permits in the province.
Retail and hospitality federations warned that long-running Ryanair baggage-handler strikes could dampen late-season bookings if not resolved. Nevertheless, Turespaña forecasts UK arrivals to Spain will exceed 18 million in 2025, just 4 % shy of 2019’s record.
