Tourism - Spain (EU)
In 2010, Spain dropped to the fourth most visited country in the world after France, the United States and China with 53 million visitors. Spain's tourism direct industry GDP was €62.1 billion ($91.8 billion) in 2010 according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
The fifth highest tourism direct industry GDP after the United States with $510.8 billion, Japan $172.5 billion, China $113.4 billion and France $107.6 billion all also World Travel and Tourism Council 2010 figures. It is worth noting that UNWTO measures tourism income differently and in its Tourism Highlights report, 2010 edition, places Spain ($53 billion) second only to US ($93.9 billion) in 2009 for "International Tourism Receipts". The UNWTO's own methodological notes explain the meaning of International Tourism Receipts and may help to explain the differences in the two organisations figures. |
Have your say directly to the Europen Travel Commission of Spain - Spain is situated in southwestern Europe, and shares borders with Portugal, France and Andorra.
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Holidays to Spain aren't just all about siestas and fiestas, but if you were asked to sum up this colourful country in a nutshell, you can bet these would be high on your list. Along with castanets and the claps of flamenco dancers, of course! They capture the essence of Spain down to a T.
Whether you want to discover buzzing cities or are seeking rustic Spain up close and personal, you'll fall in love in love with this lively, yet delightfully laid-back country.
When it comes to Spanish holidays on the mainland, you're spoilt for choice. For drenching yourself in sunshine, the glittering Costa's are the place to head. From sophisticated and chic Marbella to the shimmering sands of energetic Benidorm, you can't go wrong.
Or perhaps it's to be a cultural quest in Spain's fascinating cities. Get the best of both worlds in beautiful Alicante slap bang on the coast. Tuck into tasty paella in cosmopolitan Valencia. Or behold the wonders of Gaudi's Avant-Garde Barcelona.
Whether you want to discover buzzing cities or are seeking rustic Spain up close and personal, you'll fall in love in love with this lively, yet delightfully laid-back country.
When it comes to Spanish holidays on the mainland, you're spoilt for choice. For drenching yourself in sunshine, the glittering Costa's are the place to head. From sophisticated and chic Marbella to the shimmering sands of energetic Benidorm, you can't go wrong.
Or perhaps it's to be a cultural quest in Spain's fascinating cities. Get the best of both worlds in beautiful Alicante slap bang on the coast. Tuck into tasty paella in cosmopolitan Valencia. Or behold the wonders of Gaudi's Avant-Garde Barcelona.
If you're seeking an island castaway though, go for Balearic summer holidays in Spain. Will it be Majorca with its cosmopolitan capital, Palma, and a mouth-watering mix of gorgeous beach resorts like Lively Magaluf? Perhaps it'll be the peace and quiet of pretty Menorca where the stunning scenery is wrapped up in a great big warm welcome. Or maybe it'll be Ibiza's legendary nightlife and captivating beaches that'll get you booking.
For year round sun-drenched shores, it has to be holidays in the Canary Islands. Head for fun, sun and sizzling nightlife in Tenerife where you can take a cable car to the top of towering Mount Teide.
Visit the sweeping beaches of Gran Canaria and pop to the capital Las Palmas, to get cultured up. Lanzarote will charm the flip-flops off you and no trip here's complete without seeing Timanfaya National Park, a huge area of dormant volcanoes.
Or be dazzled on Fuerteventura, by the gleaming white dunes of Corralejo National Park. And then there's sleepy La Gomera and La Palma to think about, as well. Wherever you head, we've just got one thing to say. Be warned – holidays to Spain are highly infectious. You'll be going back again and again and again...
For year round sun-drenched shores, it has to be holidays in the Canary Islands. Head for fun, sun and sizzling nightlife in Tenerife where you can take a cable car to the top of towering Mount Teide.
Visit the sweeping beaches of Gran Canaria and pop to the capital Las Palmas, to get cultured up. Lanzarote will charm the flip-flops off you and no trip here's complete without seeing Timanfaya National Park, a huge area of dormant volcanoes.
Or be dazzled on Fuerteventura, by the gleaming white dunes of Corralejo National Park. And then there's sleepy La Gomera and La Palma to think about, as well. Wherever you head, we've just got one thing to say. Be warned – holidays to Spain are highly infectious. You'll be going back again and again and again...
Spain is the second largest country in South Europe, next to France, which is located in an area known as the Iberian Peninsula.
This island is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the south to the east, Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Bay of Biscay to the north. Spain is also bounded by the lands of Portugal, France, Andorra, Morocco and Gibraltar.
Iberians were the first people to settle in Spain who were later colonized by the Greeks and Carthaginians. In the 3rd century BC, the Romans ruled. The word Spain originated from the Roman name "Hispania".
Spain is a country that possesses a magnificent mix of art, culture and architecture. It has a lot of beautiful cities and towns that vary in culture, language, climate and customs. Some of the popular cities include Madrid, Barcelona, Sargossa, Valencia, Granada and Seville.
Spain has over 5,000 miles of coastline, much of which is graced with beautiful beaches. Though the tourists flock to the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol, there are beautiful beaches all over Spain.
This island is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the south to the east, Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Bay of Biscay to the north. Spain is also bounded by the lands of Portugal, France, Andorra, Morocco and Gibraltar.
Iberians were the first people to settle in Spain who were later colonized by the Greeks and Carthaginians. In the 3rd century BC, the Romans ruled. The word Spain originated from the Roman name "Hispania".
Spain is a country that possesses a magnificent mix of art, culture and architecture. It has a lot of beautiful cities and towns that vary in culture, language, climate and customs. Some of the popular cities include Madrid, Barcelona, Sargossa, Valencia, Granada and Seville.
Spain has over 5,000 miles of coastline, much of which is graced with beautiful beaches. Though the tourists flock to the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol, there are beautiful beaches all over Spain.
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Most festivals turn around patron saints, legends, local customs and folklore. Among the most singular ones stand out the Seville Fair (Feria de Abril in Spanish), the Romería de El Rocío in Almonte, Huelva, the world-famous Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, the Fallas in Valencia, the Tomatina in Buñol, Valencia and the Fiestas del Pilar in Zaragoza.
The Carnival is also popular all over Spain, but especially in the Canary Islands and Cadiz. There are renowned movie festivals all over the country, the most recognizable being the famous San Sebastián International Film Festival, the Málaga Spanish Film Festival, the Seminci (Valladolid International Film Festival), the Mostra de Valencia and the Sitges Film Festival, the world's foremost international festival specializing in fantasy and horror movies.
Music festivals includes the Sónar, the FIB, the Festimad, the Primavera Sound, the Bilbao Festival BBK, the Monegros Desert Festival and the SOS 4.8.
Several cities have hosted international events: the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition, the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, the 1992 Summer Olympics, all in Barcelona, the Universal fair of 1992 in Seville, the 2007 America's Cup in Valencia, and the Expo 2008 in Zaragoza. In addition, some Spanish cities have been or will be European Capital of Culture: Madrid in 1992; Santiago de Compostela in 2000, Salamanca in 2002 and San Sebastián in 2016.
The Carnival is also popular all over Spain, but especially in the Canary Islands and Cadiz. There are renowned movie festivals all over the country, the most recognizable being the famous San Sebastián International Film Festival, the Málaga Spanish Film Festival, the Seminci (Valladolid International Film Festival), the Mostra de Valencia and the Sitges Film Festival, the world's foremost international festival specializing in fantasy and horror movies.
Music festivals includes the Sónar, the FIB, the Festimad, the Primavera Sound, the Bilbao Festival BBK, the Monegros Desert Festival and the SOS 4.8.
Several cities have hosted international events: the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition, the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, the 1992 Summer Olympics, all in Barcelona, the Universal fair of 1992 in Seville, the 2007 America's Cup in Valencia, and the Expo 2008 in Zaragoza. In addition, some Spanish cities have been or will be European Capital of Culture: Madrid in 1992; Santiago de Compostela in 2000, Salamanca in 2002 and San Sebastián in 2016.
Bullfighting season in Spain runs from March to October. The fights that attract most spectators are the ones held during a Fiesta patronal, named ferias taurinas. The most prestigious of such fights is held for the fiesta of San Isidro in Madrid.
Bullfighting activities are heavily subsidised in Spain by all levels of the national Government. It has been estimated that over 550 million euros of taxpayer money is destined to the pro-bullfighting industry per year in Spain.
Bullfighting is illegal in some regions of Spain, including in the Canary Islands. It is in a steep decline in other regions with only two active bullrings in the autonomies of Galicia and Asturias, and only one active bullring in Catalonia.
Bullfighting was banned in the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia by a vote of the Catalan Parliament in July 2010. The ban came into effect on 1 January 2012. The last bullfight in the region took place in Barcelona in September 2011.
The ban, which ended a centuries-old tradition in the region, was supported by animal rights activists but opposed by some, who saw it as motivated by political nationalism rather than animal welfare.
Bullfighting activities are heavily subsidised in Spain by all levels of the national Government. It has been estimated that over 550 million euros of taxpayer money is destined to the pro-bullfighting industry per year in Spain.
Bullfighting is illegal in some regions of Spain, including in the Canary Islands. It is in a steep decline in other regions with only two active bullrings in the autonomies of Galicia and Asturias, and only one active bullring in Catalonia.
Bullfighting was banned in the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia by a vote of the Catalan Parliament in July 2010. The ban came into effect on 1 January 2012. The last bullfight in the region took place in Barcelona in September 2011.
The ban, which ended a centuries-old tradition in the region, was supported by animal rights activists but opposed by some, who saw it as motivated by political nationalism rather than animal welfare.
Fun loving? Thrill seeking? Or simply in need of an affordable break? A holiday in Spain has all the answers. With festivals galore and too many beaches to choose from, it’s no wonder that Spain is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations.
Home to cultured cosmopolitan cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, as well as mountainous terrain and pristine coastlines, Spain is the ultimate destination for families, couples, solo explorers and groups alike. Not forgetting Spain's stunning islands such as the Balearic and Canary Islands, read more on Majorca holidays here.
Sharing borders with France and Portugal, Spain is an ideal destination for ongoing travel around Europe. Its southern coastal peak points across the channel to Morocco and the ferry crossing to Tangier can be taken from several Spanish ports including Gibraltar and Barcelona. History, beaches, food, parties and mucho mas!
For the more discerning traveller, Spain’s cities are filled to bursting with cultural and historic attractions. Marvel at Gaudí's spectacular Sagrada Família or take in the views from Parc Guell in Barcelona or alternatively visit the Guggenheim Gallery in the northern Basque city of Bilbao.
Nip south to run with the bulls in the festival of San Fermin in Pamplona, or paint yourself tomato red at La Tomatina festival in Buñol near Valencia. If getting out and about in nature is more your thing, then check out the glorious Costa Verde, boasting national parks, snow capped mountain peaks and rushing rivers.
Home to cultured cosmopolitan cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, as well as mountainous terrain and pristine coastlines, Spain is the ultimate destination for families, couples, solo explorers and groups alike. Not forgetting Spain's stunning islands such as the Balearic and Canary Islands, read more on Majorca holidays here.
Sharing borders with France and Portugal, Spain is an ideal destination for ongoing travel around Europe. Its southern coastal peak points across the channel to Morocco and the ferry crossing to Tangier can be taken from several Spanish ports including Gibraltar and Barcelona. History, beaches, food, parties and mucho mas!
For the more discerning traveller, Spain’s cities are filled to bursting with cultural and historic attractions. Marvel at Gaudí's spectacular Sagrada Família or take in the views from Parc Guell in Barcelona or alternatively visit the Guggenheim Gallery in the northern Basque city of Bilbao.
Nip south to run with the bulls in the festival of San Fermin in Pamplona, or paint yourself tomato red at La Tomatina festival in Buñol near Valencia. If getting out and about in nature is more your thing, then check out the glorious Costa Verde, boasting national parks, snow capped mountain peaks and rushing rivers.
If it’s simple sun, sea and sand you’re after you won’t be disappointed as a holiday in Spain has it all, and more. An infinite number of white and yellow sand beaches line the coasts while Spain’s Canary and Balearic Islands are the ultimate relaxation destinations.
Sampling the local cuisine in Spain is no chore as the rich flavours of the country are exported and adored worldwide. The exquisite tapas of San Sebastián in the far north of the country, boasts an acclaimed reputation, while the Paella of the seaside towns is hard to beat.
Sangria and red Rioja wines are a keen favourite while in the north the Spaniards have their very own special brew, sidra, to be found in the unique sidrerias of Asturias. Looking for a party during your Spain holiday? Although most cities in Spain offer an excellent night scene, the infamous island of Ibiza is arguably THE party destination of Europe, where you can live a nocturnal lifestyle and still come home with a tan.
Sampling the local cuisine in Spain is no chore as the rich flavours of the country are exported and adored worldwide. The exquisite tapas of San Sebastián in the far north of the country, boasts an acclaimed reputation, while the Paella of the seaside towns is hard to beat.
Sangria and red Rioja wines are a keen favourite while in the north the Spaniards have their very own special brew, sidra, to be found in the unique sidrerias of Asturias. Looking for a party during your Spain holiday? Although most cities in Spain offer an excellent night scene, the infamous island of Ibiza is arguably THE party destination of Europe, where you can live a nocturnal lifestyle and still come home with a tan.