The majority of agents polled by the Andalucia Tourism Board (96%) said they would feel comfortable travelling to Spain once routes reopen.
The findings came as part of a wider study by the tourism board to gauge perception of Andalucia and Spain in the UK market while the Covid crisis continues.
In total, 102 UK industry exerts were interviewed – including 75 travel agents and 22 tour operators, with a further five media focus groups held.
Agents said the biggest barriers to selling a trip in the current climate were travel restrictions, and clients’ concerns about PCR testing, vaccination passports, quarantine and ever-changing travel advice.
When asked which Spanish destinations they would recommend to their clients, nearly half opted for destinations within Andalucia; 13% chose destinations in the Balearics, 11% in the Canaries, 10% in Catalonia and 10% in the Valencia region.
More than four in five (81%) said they were confident selling a trip to Andalucia, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
The research, carried out during April and May 2021, found 80% of operators had visited the area and 90% were up-to-date with Spain’s Covid-19 guidelines.
Members of the media questioned identified Andalucia’s culture and heritage as the region’s top selling point.
Juan Marin, vice-president of the government of Andalucia and minister for tourism, said: "The UK is one of our main source markets and it is imperative that we continue to work closely with the UK travel trade and understand their current needs and challenges.
"The findings of this research give us renewed confidence that the UK market will bounce back quickly - as soon as Spain is on the green list. We are taking all of the tour operator and travel agent recommendations on board to inform our marketing strategy."
