After several years of rising tourist numbers, especially when tourism in North Africa took a big dip after terrorist attacks, Spain has had an unexpected drop this year, with a million fewer visitors in the first six months than a year ago.
And, Spanish tourism authorities point out, the third quarter, which includes summer, is the most critical for the industry. Turespaña is forecasting drops in the numbers of visitors from key countries Britain, France and Germany, although it appears that those who come are likely to spend a bit more and stay a day or so longer.
Industry experts are cautioning Spanish tourism operators not to be defeatist; they point out that the curving off may be in part due to revived competition from Turkey, where the recent fall of the lira has made prices very cheap, and renewed interest in North Africa. They are urging Spanish operators to compete on quality rather than diving for the low end of the price pool.
Elsewhere on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal has passed Greece to claim the #3 spot as a European vacation destination.
