Christmas lights are much more than just decorative lighting for a city. Today, on World Tourism Day, we’re talking about a new trend surrounding Christmas lighting: Christmas lights tourism
Tourism is a sector that has grown exponentially in recent years. This growth has been accompanied by an adaptation to new market trends and the evolution that society has undergone over the past decades. Improved working conditions in many countries, the rise of the middle class worldwide, cheaper transportation, and the ease provided by new technologies for travel have contributed to the surge in travel from 25 million trips in 1950 to over 1.3 billion today.
Traveling is associated with enjoyment and the search for new experiences. As the Christmas season approaches, holiday lights have become one of the main factors driving tourism growth during the festive months in recent years. This has also led cities to invest more and more in spectacular Christmas lighting for their streets, as seen in cities like Vigo, Málaga, Madrid, and Valladolid.
What is Christmas Lights Tourism?
Christmas lights tourism is a trend that has gained popularity in recent years, driven by increased investment in Christmas lighting by cities. This strategy encourages tourists to visit these cities, drawn by the decorations and lighting displayed throughout streets and squares during the holiday season.
Ximenez Group, the leading company in decorative lighting, is responsible for some of the most famous Christmas lights worldwide. The company illuminates Christmas in hundreds of cities, more than 250 across five continents, contributing to the holiday tourism appeal of these cities.
Christmas lights tourism is a growing trend during the holiday season, transforming cities around the world into festive destinations and must-visit spots for hundreds of thousands of tourists during Christmas. These holiday lights become the main tourist attraction in a city, boosting travel during the Christmas period, with hotels often reaching full occupancy and local businesses near the lights seeing a significant increase in revenue.
Christmas Lights That Capture the World
Several cities have become flag-bearers of Christmas lighting as a tourist draw during the holiday months. One clear example of the significant tourism boost provided by Christmas lights is the city of Vigo, a must-see destination on the Christmas lights tourism map.
The famous giant Christmas tree installed in Vigo’s central Puerta del Sol or its spectacular giant gift box are some of the most photographed scenes in Vigo’s Christmas season, all featuring Ximenez Group’s lighting.
Visiting Málaga and its central Larios Street at Christmas has become a tradition for hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world. An incredible light and sound show adorns this famous street every year, drawing the attention of all visitors during the holidays. The Christmas lighting on Larios Street, designed, manufactured, and installed by Ximenez Group, has become an icon of the festivities in Andalusia, Spain, and even globally.
Every December, Madrid’s streets fill with tourists eager to enjoy the magical holiday atmosphere. Ximenez Group installs millions of LED lights each year on the capital’s busiest streets and plazas to ensure no corner goes unphotographed or unshared on social media. The Christmas tree at Puerta del Sol, the giant Christmas ball, and the unique lighting that decorates Gran Vía every year are just some of the spectacular Christmas lights Ximenez Group installs in Madrid.
World Tourism Day
World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on September 27, aiming to raise awareness about the social, cultural, political, and economic value of tourism. This date was chosen as it coincides with the end of the high tourism season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the season in the southern hemisphere.
Ximenez Group joins the celebration of this important annual event as a promoter and key player in one of the fastest-growing tourist attractions in recent years: Christmas lights and their appeal to both visitors and locals. Since its beginnings, Ximenez has championed the idea that Christmas lighting is much more than just decorative lights—it’s economy, it’s emotion, and it’s also tourism.
