Global tourism brings benefits for Spain

Global tourism numbers have been on the increase during 2007 and are expected to reach a record high by the year end, according to figures from the World Tourism Organisation (WTO).

The number of people going on holiday each year is expected to reach 900 million by the end of 2007. This represents a 5.7 per cent year-on-year rise for 2007, reports AFP.

Spain was one of the top destinations, taking an impressive £24.8 billion in tourism revenue during 2006. The European hotspot is now said to be the most popular in the continent, having taken over from France as the most frequently visited country.

Francesco Frangialli, secretary general of the WTO, said: "At the end of the 1980s France was well ahead of Spain in tourism earnings but now lags behind." Spain is a popular Christmas destination due to its warm weather. Villas also enable families to spend Christmas together, catering for themselves, having driven from the ferry port in the north of Spain.