The new Spanish Tourism Plan “Horizon 2020” recently came into force and began to be applied under the Spanish Tourism Plan 2008-2012.

The objectives of the Spanish Tourism Plan “Horizon 2020” are, inter alia (i) to increase the social and economic benefits of tourism; (ii) to achieve a social/territorial rebalance which boosts the tourist business at new destinations; and (iii) to improve the quality of the national and cultural environment by reducing the potentially negative impact of the tourist business.

Although until 2010 the Official Credit Institute (Instituto de Crédito Oficial or “ICO”) offered differentiated lines of financing/mediation, especially in the case of the tourism industry (ICO-FUTURE 2010 and ICO-Tourism Public Trance), in 2011 the ICO changed its way of way of looking at financing, redefining its mediation lines, which are no longer classed according to the eligible object but rather are now classed according to the nature and characteristics of the aid applicant (SMEs, enterprises, independent professionals, individuals and public entities). In other words, the new design of the ICO lines of financing promotes greater transversality in the application and grant of aid.

For further information, visit the extended version of our online Guide to Business:

Investment aid and incentives in Spain

Prepared by Garrigues

Last updated: 28|06|2011