Addressing media on Tuesday (17 February), director of tourism Manuel Butler revealed that while tourism growth during the summer months was "flat" last year (+0.1%), there were significant spikes during the shoulder seasons, including a 6.9% increase in visitation between January and May.
Several tourism hotspots experienced a dip in visitor numbers last year, including the Balearic Islands (-0.5%) and capital Madrid (-3.9%).
"One of our key objectives has been to drive traffic beyond the traditional peak months, and I'm pleased the numbers are supporting this and demonstrating our strategy is working," said Butler, who heads up the Spanish Tourist Office.
