One of the biggest metropolitan areas in Spain, Alicante’s Mediterranean climate and historical port has long attracted expats and immigrants; indeed, roughly one in eight residents in the area come from overseas. With an average everyday temperature of just under 20 degrees and over 2,800 hours of sunshine every year, it is no surprise that Alicante has become such a prime pick for European travellers seeking sweet escapism, or perhaps a new start entirely. In 2013 alone, over 286 million hotel-nights were booked across Spain as a whole – up 6.4 per cent from the year before. And with Alicante having become one of Spain’s leading forces for tourism in the region, the potential for short-term vacation rental property investment speaks for itself. The economic crisis may have taken its toll on Spain’s property market, but after years of rapid declines things are improving - and cities like Alicante have the much-needed boost of year-round tourism to fuel interest.