Parts of Spain, including the Balearic Islands have been popular tourist destinations for decades. This isn't expected to falter any time soon.



The 'Majorca Daily Bulletin' recently interviewed Ignacia Vasallo of the Turespana Spanish Tourist Board.

Mr. Vasallo is confident in Spain's allure and believes it will remain a popular tourist destination throughout 2008.

He told reporters 'Spain is still one of the cheapest eurozone destinations, so the slight increase in a bottle of beer, for example, is not going to turn people away.' In fact, he predicts a 2 percent rise in tourism for the 2008 season.

According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin he said, 'While the credit crunch may persuade British consumers to put off selling the house or buying a new car, it will not deter them from going on holiday this year.'

First-quarter figures help solidify Mr. Vasallo's predictions. Spain attracted nearly 10.7 million tourists during the first quarter.

The dollar and pound are indeed lower in value against the euro than they have been in a very long time. This doesn't mean people are foregoing their beloved island holidays.

It simply means more people have to budget more carefully to enjoy their usual yearly island escape. The Post Office has also reassured tourists that Spain is the cheapest country in the eurozone, despite the pound being at a record low against the euro.

Spain's capital city of Madrid is located on the Manzanares River. It is the largest city in all of Spain.

Madrid is a popular tourist destination for several reasons: one being the rich historic culture evident throughout Spain. No matter the time of year the tourist visits Madrid, they can partake in a variety of Spanish celebrations.

Many history buffs enjoy touring Madrid's many museums, galleries and historic landmarks. In addition to the historic appeal, Madrid promotes a wide variety of financial and economic venues. Three of the world's 100 largest companies maintain headquarters in Madrid as well as the main headquarters for the majority of Spanish companies.

Due to Madrid's standard of living and economic stability, it is considered the financial center of the Iberian Peninsula.

Barcelona is another major hub of tourist activity in Spain. It is the second largest city in Spain and boasts a population of nearly 1.7 million. It is located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain and is home to one of Europe's primary Mediterranean ports.

The Barcelona International Airport is the second largest airport in Spain. Barcelona has hosted many world sporting events, including the 1982 Football World Cup and the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Millions of tourists per year are fascinated by Barcelona's many architectural highlights. The Barcelona Cathedral attracts many tourists and is a popular photo opportunity.

The Balearic Islands remain one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

The islands acted as key strategic points in several battles throughout history. After such a dramatic past, remnants remain and continue to draw lovers of history and architecture year after year. Mallorca and Menorca are the two largest and most visited of the Balearic Islands.

Many resorts and hotels, as well as privately owned apartments and villas, are available to accommodate the island-loving tourist. The largest city of the Balearic Islands is Palma de Mallorca, located on Mallorca. Although many on the islands are multi-lingual, the two primary languages spoken on the Balearic Islands are Spanish and Catalan.

Each year millions of people visit various parts of Spain because of the lower-cost activities available to them.

Current monetary exchange rates are not expected to have a negative impact on tourism in Spain. Fewer tourists may be visiting Spanish destinations with intentions of buying property, but tourism itself is not expected to decrease in numbers.

Tourists will continue to make holiday plans despite the pound doing poorly against the euro simply because they are accustomed to a yearly break from the rigours of everyday life. Low-cost airlines, as well as highly sought-after vacation packages, will aid in holiday planning during the 2008 holiday season.