I recently met a young man called Koen Darras, a self-proclaimed “Adventurer, Keynote Speaker and Content Creator”. He is the first person in history to climb the ten highest mountains of South America and Africa in succession and conquer the iconic peaks Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, and Eiger in just nine days.

From summiting Denali in Alaska to traversing entire continents, Koen is an undeniable risk-taker and he likes to film it all. He hopes that by pushing his own limits and sharing these expeditions as a full cinematic experience, he may inspire others to step out of their comfort zones too.

Once of his next objectives is to be the world’s first person to cross the Atlantic by kitesurf, some 5,000 kms and 60 days at sea. He plans to start out from the Canary Islands, travel via Cape Verde and then head towards the Caribbean. Although Koen will surf alone he will be accompanied by a sailing boat all the way and a very dedicated team.

In order to prepare for this 2027 mission Koen had been training in the Canary Islands and took the time to come to Marbella on his way back to Belgium to share his passion for this very ambitious adventure.

Koen was accompanied by his 10 year old daughter Lio, who kindly helped me with some recording for the TV interview that I with her dad. From just the brief encounter it was easy to see that she, like her father, embraces the belief that limits are only invitations.

What a great team they make and what an inspirational encounter all round.

Between April 13 and 19, officers from the Guardia Civil Traffic Group set up a grand total of 3,537 control points across Spain. They checked speeds of a massive 1,256,540 vehicles during this period. The figure shows an increase of more than 235,000 checks, even bigger than the previous summer operation. It just goes to show that the traffic authorities (DGT) are cracking down harder than ever on speed.

Speeding incidents contributed to 22 per cent of fatal crashes in 2024, making it one of the leading causes of all road deaths. The authorities are now responding each year with ever more targeted enforcement and additional cameras on Spanish roads.

Motorways see majority of penalties

To give an idea of the issue, both DGT and Guardia Civil officers recorded over 78,000 drivers breaking speed limits, representing 6.2 per cent of all vehicles monitored. Motorways and dual carriageways accounted for 53.5 per cent of these penalties, with 41,772 fines dished out there. This area shows a 10 per cent rise versus conventional roads, where officers issued 34,215 fines.

Fifteen drivers faced court proceedings for exceeding limits by more than 80 km/h. Such extreme cases have doubled over the past two years.

Lawmakers consider new 190 km/h offence threshold

Interior Ministry officials are now supporting changes to make rules more effective at stopping dangerous behaviour. A proposal before Congress is hoping to automatically classify driving at 190 km/h on motorways as a criminal offence with potential jail time. The idea is to deter reckless actions that put lives at risk on high-speed routes where many violations occur.

New support line helps accident survivors

At the close of the enforcement week, traffic chiefs introduced a dedicated helpline for people affected by road crashes. The 018 number now delivers free assistance to survivors and their families dealing with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and practical difficulties after incidents.

The service is available in English on request, is not meant for emergencies (continue to use 112 for that), is a free-of-charge call, and is available from 8am to 9pm daily. There is also a WhatsApp version on +34 645 713 823, and even an email service (also possible in English) via victimastrafico@dgt.es.

Trained psychologists, social workers, and legal experts will be staffing the service to help anyone who has been affected by a road accident in Spain. They guide users through administrative processes, provide emotional counselling, and monitor serious cases over extended periods. This resource addresses growing demand from individuals coping with long-term consequences of collisions on Spanish roads.

Change in speeding culture in Spain

Speed enforcement is really starting to take off in Spain as a form of changing a decades-long culture of pushing the accelerator down too far. With more vehicles checked and stricter rules under discussion, drivers can expect ever increasing pressure to respect limits, especially on high-capacity routes.

A new nonstop air route between the United States and Spain is being hailed as another major boost for Spanish tourism and the country’s economy, as growing numbers of Americans choose Spain for holidays, remote working and even permanent relocation.

US airline Delta Air Lines has announced the first-ever direct connection between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Barcelona, strengthening Spain’s links with the lucrative American travel market. The route forms part of Delta’s wider expansion into Europe and reflects soaring demand for Spain among US travellers.

Spain continues to attract wealthy American tourists

Spain has become one of the hottest destinations for American visitors in recent years, with tourism officials reporting a sharp increase in arrivals from the United States.

According to Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), more than 4 million American tourists visited Spain in 2024 – a record figure and significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. US travellers are also among the country’s highest spenders, with average daily spending well above the international visitor average.

Industry experts say American tourists are particularly valuable for Spain’s economy because they tend to stay longer, travel year-round and spend heavily on hotels, gastronomy, shopping and luxury experiences.

Barcelona, Madrid, Mallorca, Marbella and the Balearic Islands have all seen a noticeable rise in American visitors, especially affluent travellers seeking Mediterranean lifestyle destinations.

New Delta route strengthens Spain-US connections

The new Seattle-to-Barcelona service is expected to improve access for travellers from the US Pacific Northwest and further cement Spain’s position as a leading European destination.

Delta confirmed the route will operate using its Airbus A330-900neo aircraft and forms part of a wider international expansion strategy.

Airlines have increasingly focused on Spain due to strong demand from American consumers. Delta, American Airlines and United have all expanded Spanish routes in recent years, with direct flights now linking Spain to more US cities than ever before.

Tourism analysts believe improved connectivity is likely to bring further economic benefits to Spain, especially in hospitality, retail and real estate sectors.

Americans moving to Spain in growing numbers

It is not only tourism driving the trend. Spain is also seeing a surge in Americans relocating permanently or semi-permanently.

Official Spanish government residency figures show the number of US citizens living in Spain has risen steadily over the past decade. The introduction of Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa and growing interest in Mediterranean lifestyles have accelerated the movement.

Popular relocation hotspots include Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Malaga and the Balearic Islands, where international schools, coworking spaces and luxury property markets have expanded rapidly to cater for foreign demand.

Real estate agencies across Spain have reported increased interest from American buyers, many attracted by lower living costs compared with major US cities, favourable climate and healthcare access.

Spain’s tourism economy remains a powerhouse

Tourism remains one of the pillars of the Spanish economy, contributing around 12 per cent of GDP and supporting millions of jobs nationwide.

Long-haul visitors from the United States are increasingly important to the sector because they help extend the tourist season beyond traditional summer peaks.

For destinations such as Mallorca and Barcelona, the growing American market is seen as an opportunity to attract higher-spending visitors and reduce dependence on short-haul European tourism.

With airlines continuing to add new transatlantic routes, Spain’s popularity among Americans appears set to grow even further in the coming years.