Visitor numbers from the UK to Spain experienced a “very modest” dip in June and July compared with the final pre-pandemic year of 2019, as the destination looks to increase tourism in the shoulder seasons.
The number of British arrivals to the destination in the peak months was 22,000 lower than 2019, which the Spanish Tourist Office’s UK director said was “in line with our strategy to reduce seasonality”.
Unveiling the figures at a media briefing at the Abta Convention in Calvia, Manuel Butler said the fall in arrivals in June and July was counteracted by a 565,000 increase in visitor numbers from the UK between January and May, compared with 2019.
Overall, between January and August, Spain welcomed 13,198,180 million British visitors, marking a 4.33% increase compared with the same period last year.
“The figures show that the shoulder season is growing and the high season is flat,” said Butler, adding: “Things are moving in the right way in terms of our strategy to make tourism more sustainable for the destination.”
This summer, Spain launched a campaign called ‘Think You Know Spain? Think Again’ aimed at promoting slow travel and raising awareness of Spain’s lesser-known destinations.
The tourist board said this is having in impact, with areas traditionally not as popular with British tourists experiencing growth – in particular Murcia, Galicia and the Basque Country.
Murcia saw a 22% increase on the same period last year, Galicia a 44% increase and the Basque Country a 65% increase.
The tourist board is expecting to see further growth in the north of Spain, added Butler.
“Northern Spain is being rediscovered by the British tourist, which again is part of our effort to make sure tourism isn’t concentrated to the hotspots. It’s a reason to be cheerful,” he added.
“And we’re expecting to see further growth in the north of Spain, where there are more temperate climes.”