Service sector

Basque Country

IntroductionNowadays this is the most important sectorDuring the last decades this sector occupes about half the active population or even more.

IntroductionThe reasons for the development of this sector are:

Industrial crisis: many workers passed from the industry to the servicesEntrance in the EU: they needed to accommodate to the EU’s policyAutonomic process: public sector has developed a lot.

TransportsCommunications are not easy due to the reliefHuge inversions have been requiredThere are the link between the Peninsula and EuropeRoad transport has substituted

the railway.

Transports : RoutesThe modern net is developing constantlyThe main roads are:

Bilbao-Behobia motorwayN-1 Madrid-Irun, it is the spine of the transports.

Transports : RailwayThere are two kinds:

Wide width: the one linking with the MesetaNarrow width: it has fulfilled the needs of the industry

The direct link between the Basque capitals is scarceThe capitals will be linked with the High Speed Train, the project known as the Basque Y.

Transports : Sea transports

It is essential for commercial relations with foreign countriesThe main ports are Bilbao, Pasajes and Bayona Bermeo’s port is important as a fishing one.

Transports: Air transportsThere are five airports: Loiu, Foronda, Biarritz, Hondarribia and NoainLoiu is the most importantThe main problems are relief and weather conditions.

TourismIt has not been too important in the economy in generalWeather has influenced beach tourismThe most important places are:

San SebastianBiarritz

Nowadays the Basque Autonomous community is the second one in Biscay’s Gulf considering the number of tourist and the number of nights they spend in the region.

TourismThe hotels’ offer tends to concentrate in capitals This tourism is normally linked to two activities:

Business and commercial relationsFree time:

LandscapeArtCulture Gastronomy

TourismThe most traditional places are:

Coast of Lapurdi (Biarritz was the precursor)Guipuzcoan coast (tourists of medium-high level)Biscay’s coast (Basque people tend to visit these places).

TourismRural tourism is developing:

Attractive:Natural environmentArt and culture accessible

Rural houses are cheaper than hotelsMany “baserris” are being adapted.

TourismNavarre:

Santiago’s Route is the main line: monuments dating back to the Middle AgesRural tourism houses have developed a lot during the last years.

TourismIn the Basque Autonomous Community the following factors have influenced:

Green tourism is attractive for those looking for a not too warm climate but in contact with natureProgressive introduction of Basque products in all the programmes of different business.

TourismOne of the aims is to recover professional tourism, at once with the economic developmentIncrease of foreign and Spanish tourists’ numberPublicity campaigns launched in different media to promote our region (Pais Vasco, ven y cuéntalo)One problem for tourism was the lack of political stability, quite forgotten nowadays.

TourismNew possibilities of tourism (summary):

Rural tourism: peasants and livestocks’ owners offer touristy servicesEcotourism: it takes advantage of the attractive of natural landscapes, natural parks and protected areasCongress and fairs: with new infrastructures (Euskalduna, Kursaal)Cultural: Guggenheim museum is the token of this kind of tourism.

TourismSegments that have increased:

Business and congressRural tourismCoastal tourism

Origin of tourists:Catalonia and MadridAragon and limiting communitiesForeigners (Guggenheim effect)

CommerceCommercial structure has not evolved too muchModern forms are reserved to new regionsThe most developed big commercial centres the bigger crisis for retail commerce.

CommerceFinances backed industries and thanks to this:

Big private banks: BBVPublic saving banks: KutxaServices for business.