Sitges, golden beach: the evolution of its tourism industry until 1976

Abstract

This article aims to describe the structure and development of tourism in Sitges (38 kms from Barcelona) and to offer an explanation of the resulting pattern unti1 1976. The origins of tourism in Sitges can be traced back to the end of the nineteenth century, and so its effects have been gradual rather than sudden. In the early years of this century, Sitges became a very fashionable, high-class holiday resort. The era of international tourism dates from 1950, although peak growth rates were experienced between 1956 and 1967. In fact, in 1963 the Sitges tourist industry earned 1,8 % of the total Spanish income from this sector. However, since 1970, the tourist sector has suffered from instability, and certain readjustments have proved necessary.

The basic cause of such changes in orientation is the inadequate hotel structure which existed in Sitges, based principally on low capacity hotels with a low amenity rating. Such short-comings became evident in the early 1970s in the light of an international economic crisis; internal inflation in Spain; administrative measures designed to limit prices (at the same time as they provoked salary rises); the bankruptcy of some major tour operators; and growing competition from other regions in Spain which offered better climate or lower prices in the off-season.

On the other hand, there is ample evidence of reticence to accept, mass tourism. An ambitious project for the construction of a tourist harbour and off-shore property development was rejected; and tight restrictions have long been imposed on land occupation densities, especially in the zone of greatest tourist potential, and more recently on transformations affecting buildings of architectural interest. In this way, the use of tourist amenities has not reached the point of total saturation, and radical changes in the morphology of Sitges have been avoided, so that the charm and attraction of Sitges have been preserved. The net result is therefore a partia1 reorientation of tourism and new trends aimed at diversification became apparent after 1970. These consist of a decrease in available hotel accommodation, with greater emphasis placed on private accommodation, which has resulted in a relative increase in the number of Spanish visitors with respect to foreigners (and especially the number of regular summer and weekend residents), in an attempt to achieve greater economic stability.