The Diminishing Del Sol

Rising sea levels are threatening Spain's popular coastline,

Spain is a popular choice for most British holidaymakers, but because of the rapidly shrinking coastline, they could all soon be fighting for space to sunbathe, when visiting the white sandy beaches. The signs of global warming are evidently creeping upon us, sea levels in Spain are rising by 2.5 millimetres annually, according to a new study commissioned by the Spanish Environment Ministry.

By 2050 it has been forecast that the beaches will be pushed back by an average of 15 metres. The Albufera of Valencia and the delta of the River Ebro as well as the Dóana national park in south-west Spain, one of Europe's biggest nature reserves, will all suffer the consequences of rising water levels. The eastern Mediterranean coast is the worst affected, in some parts of the Costa del Sol, hotel owners have already asked for permission to bring in their own sand, as beaches begin to shrink and it has also been recommended that some sea walls need to be raised in Spanish ports.

The biggest impact from this will be on tourism and property investment. Spain has enjoyed stable economic growth and the Spanish property market is mature yet dynamic with many different types of properties to choose from across all provinces. However, some are already choosing not to put their money into properties on the coast. "I wouldn't buy a house in La Manga," said Professor Raúl Medina, referring to an area in the south-eastern region of Murcia popular with British holiday-home buyers. "It is a bad investment because I doubt that my children would be able to use it," he told the newspaper El País.

Moving inland
With 320 days of sunshine a year and 60% of tourists staying in private homes it is still an attractive option to buy and rent out your property. There are many places inland that are still underdeveloped and this could lead to new and emerging markets in Spain. Inland regions such as Jaen, Granada and Cordoba have seen high demand as buyers seek alternatives to the over crowded Costa del Sol.

Although it is natural to associate Spain with beaches, the country has a great deal more to offer than beach holidays. Ski resorts in Granada province are very popular in winter and it has the second highest mountain range in Europe, the Sierra Nevada National Park, an uninhabited rugged wilderness with snow on its peaks for most of the year. It also has some superb climbing and mountaineering opportunities. This area can offer the same type of rental market that you would find on a coastal resort.

Despite the shrinking beaches, Spain will still prove to be popular with tourists and property investors alike simply because of the country’s Mediterranean climate and economic stability. Investing inland away from the coastline does not mean that you will be missing out financially, ski developments are very lucrative and there will always be new and emerging markets elsewhere. The key to Spain’s future will be in preservation and although global warming is the cause, much can be done to prevent Spain losing its beaches forever.

Indeed, Disney hopes so. The American giant has recently announced that they will be building a new theme park in the Costa Del Sol...