Spain is one of the most popular European trends of beach and sightseeing rest.

According to the statistics of foreign tourists’ arrivals (FRONTUR) published by the Tourism Ministry of the Country, 41,5 million people have visited Spain within 8 moths of the year 2007 which is 2,2% higher than for the same period of the year 2006. 7,7 million tourists have visited Spain in August which is 3% higher than the last year.

The growth of tourists’ arrivals in August has been observed in almost all the Spanish regions, especially in Madrid, Andalusia and Valencia. Despite of this fact, the first and second places of popularity are given to Catalonia and Balearic Islands.

As for national interest to the country, the 6,6% increase of British and 4,5% of French tourists was mentioned.

Catalonia is still leading in the Spanish list. 2,2 million tourists have visited this province in August which is 3,9% higher than last year. Since the year beginning 10,9 million tourists have visited Catalonia, that is to say 26,3% of the total tourists number in Spain.

Balearic Islands occupy their well-earned second place with 1,7 million tourists or 22,4% of the total tourists number which is 1,9% higher than last year. The main tourists’ suppliers behaved quite various. The amount of British tourists has become 10,6% higher but the amount of German tourists - 0,2% lower. Totally, 7,5 million tourists have visited the archipelago since January.

Andalusia has occupied the honorable third place. 1,1 million tourists visited this southern part of Spain which is 14,9% higher than last year. Totally, 6,1 million tourists have visited Andalusia for 8 months. Canaries Islands take the fourth place of popularity. However, an appreciable popularity decrease is revealed despite the almost million amount (759 000) of tourists having visited this country in August. The total number of tourists for incomplete year has amounted at 6,1 million people.

Valencia is in the group of five best Spanish regions with a rate of 659 thousands tourists being arrived in August 2007. The province has demonstrated quite good popularity increase for first 8 months of 2007 too – 8,5%. In total 3,9 million tourists have visited Valencia within a period from January till August 2007.

Spanish capital is on the 6th place of the tourist popularity only. August was noticed by 350 thousands tourists’ arrival. First of all, these were Italians and Portuguese, and the French interest has decreased a bit. Since the year beginning 2,9 million tourists have visited Madrid, which is 10,9% higher than last year.

Other provinces, cities and regions were visited by 805 thousands tourists which is 7,8% higher than the last year rates. The total guests’ number has amounted at 4 million foreigners for 8 months of the year.

Iuri Tarabanov writes about interesting travel experiences. His Discount Travel site is http://www.travelime.com

Source: www.a1articles.com