RECORD-BREAKING: Almost 83 million people holidayed in Spain last year

AROUND 82.8 million people holidayed in Spain in 2018, the sixth record-breaking year in a row according to the National Institute for Statistics (INE).

INE data showed the amount of tourists in Spain in 2018 was 1.1 per cent higher than the previous year when almost 81.9 people visited. British holidaymakers continued to be the largest group by nationality with 18.5 million visiting, data showed.

Secretary of State for Tourism Isabel Oliver said the results were “excellent” and that they once again demonstrated the strength of Spain’s holiday offering.

“This year we will continue working hard to further increase the profitability of tourism and to maintain the competitiveness of our country,” Oliver said.

Tourists spent almost €89.9 million whilst holidaying in Spain last year, 3.3 per cent more than in 2017, also breaking that record. Each tourist spent an average of about €1,086 and stayed for an average of 7.4 days, slightly below 2017 levels.

The amount of British travellers fell by 1.6 per cent on 2017 levels but they remained ahead of the 11.4 million Germans and the 11.3 million French holidaymakers. The number of Germans fell by 4.1 per cent compared to 2017 while the amount of French tourists increased by 0.7 per cent.

The figures follow government predictions last year which forecast a slowdown in the number of tourists for 2018.

Officials were concerned that factors including Brexit and the recovery of rival destinations such as Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt would cause tourist numbers to fall.

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