More Foreigners Expected to Visit Spain’s Barcelona

The Spanish city of Barcelona, one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the country, is expected to receive more than six million foreigners in 2007. According to city authorities, that number accounts for a 19.3 percent increase, compared to 2006.

In addition, 13 million foreign tourists are expected to stay in the city, accounting for an increase of nearly 20 percent, in contrast to last year.

The same sources said that 53 percent of tourists arrive in Barcelona from Europe, 24 percent from other Spanish areas, 12 percent from the Americas, and the rest from other regions of the world. Besides, the average hotel occupancy rate is 79.5 percent, a 4.6-percent rise compared to last year.

The experts noted the fact that congress tourism grew 16.6 percent in 2006, with 400,000 people visiting Barcelona to attend events, meetings and other MICE functions.