Big spender prefer ‘green’ destinations like Tarifa

TOURISTS with high spending power prefer their destination to be ‘environmentally friendly’ rather than exclusive, a study reveals.

Amongst the top destinations for big spenders is Tarifa (Cadiz), famous for its wind-swept beaches and bohemian atmosphere and charming old town, located just a short drive from the Costa del Sol.

Others on the list of favourites are Cabo de Gata (Almeria), Asturias, Cantabria, Lanzarote, Menorca, Navarra and the Pyrenees.

Oak Power Communication carried out a survey with 700 travellers which revealed that those with high spending power prefer natural destinations which respect the environment.

The survey was carried out amongst people who spend between €2,000 and €3,000 per year on their holidays, most of them Spanish, although respondents included French, German, English and Italian people.

Of these almost one in four said that a destination being ‘environmentally friendly’ was at the top of their list of importance, even more than originality or attention given to the tourist.

Another quarter want complexes which are “integrated with nature”, while 25.5 per cent want a gourmet restaurant at their destination which uses ecological products which are in season and sourced locally, if possible on site.

The survey also revealed people with this profile would pay up to €10,000 per m2 for a house on an urbanization in Marbella as long as the complex was respectful towards nature.