The Reconfiguration of International Residential Mobility Flows in Post-crisis Spain: The Case of Costa Blanca-Alicante

The aim of this chapter is to explain the residential tourism development after the economic crisis that took place between 2007 and 2013 in the province of Alicante (Costa Blanca, Spain). To achieve this objective, we explore some of the interactions between tourist flows, migratory movements and real estate development. After examining the main tourist and housing statistics of the region, a critical reflection on the existing links between the tourist sector and the real estate economy is presented. A comparison of the data could warrant the following hypothesis: the impacts of the economic crisis on leisure-oriented mobility flows towards Alicante have been more concentrated in terms of the real estate sector than the tourism sector. While it is true that the economic crisis disrupted the growth of the tourism industry, it is also true that it suffered much less than the real estate sector, which experienced total collapse. During periods of economic recession, the construction sector is much weaker and tries to protect its interests by adhering to the tourism sector. Without the burden of the real estate business, the tourism economy of the Costa Blanca would be able to undertake more solid and sustainable socioeconomic development projects that would be aimed at consumers with greater purchasing power. The transition to a regional more competitive model would require a political and cultural context that supports entrepreneurs having enough capacity for innovation. This model should improve labour conditions for workers and therefore the quality of life of the region.