Propaganda turística y estatal en España a través de sellos y billetes

Abstract

Stamps and bank notes provide valuable information concerning the aesthetic, political, social and economic conceptions of the countries to which they belong. The images presented awaken the desire to get to know that which is displayed. Consequently, these media are a significant means of promoting the flow of visitors to particular tourist areas and creating an interest in discovering the customs and way of life of other countries. Governments take advantage of the promotion of this flow of tourists in order to pursue their respective policy objectives in the sphere of international relations. We can therefore affirm that tourism becomes a significant vehicle for state propaganda. In this paper, we have focused our attention on the image of Spain as a tourist destination that was promoted by Franco’s administration through stamps and bank notes, during the difficult post-war years.