The number of international visitors to Spain hit an all-time high of 83.7 million in 2019 in a seventh consecutive year of records, industry and tourism minister Reyes Maroto has said, adding that she is optimistic about 2020.
Tourist arrivals rose 1% last year from a year earlier, Maroto told a news conference.
Spain is the world's second-most visited country after France, and tourism is crucial for the domestic economy, making up nearly 12% of gross domestic product.
"A Strong And Consolidated Sector"
"We address 2020 with optimism, because we have a strong and consolidated sector, capable of tackling the challenges ahead of us," she said, without providing any specific forecast.
Last year, more visitors coming from Asia and the United States offset a decline of travellers from Britain and Germany, who traditionally have been the core of the Spanish tourism.
Maroto said that trying to lure visitors from new countries will be one of the ministry's main priorities along with working to have visitors all year long and not only during the summer high season.
News by Reuters, edited by Hospitality Ireland. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
