Andalucia welcomed more tourists than ever last month

ANDALUCIA has had its best ever August in terms of tourism.

Data from the Ministry of Tourism shows that hotels in the region dealt with a total of 7.6 million overnight stays in the month, which is 5 per cent more than in August 2018.

There was an increase in the number of guests of 4.4 per cent to exceed 2.3 million for the first time.

The figures were revealed by vice president of the Junta de Andalucia and Minister of Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Government, Juan Marín, at a meeting convened to assess the impact of the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook.

Marin highlighted August as “a historic month for tourism in Andalusia. The data has exceeded our most optimistic forecasts and we are on track to close 2019 as a year in which we will further strengthen the strength of our destination.”

Regarding Thomas Cook, Marin said: “The impact on the region is going to be much smaller than other destinations, such as the Balearic or Canary Islands.”

The biggest increase in overnight stays was in Sevilla, with an increase of 9.9 per cent. It is followed by Cordoba, with 7.5 per cent more, Granada, with 6.7 per cent more, Huelva, with an increase of 5.9 per cent, Cadiz, with 4.8 per cent more, Malaga, with a rise of 4.4 per cent and Almeria, up 1.9 per cent.