Barcelona Tourism Update for Insiders

September 30, 2008
Issue #03

Table of Content

NEWS & WHAT´S ON?

1. Barcelona Tourism to space!

2. Golf: winter sunshine destination

3. Spain in 3rd place of the World Holiday Destination

4. Sagrada Familia, the main attraction

5. La Mercè 2008 attracts 1.6 million people in six days

HOT DEALS!

1. Barcelona hotel booking up 3%

2. NEW! Tickets available now

3. Autumn Holiday Packages

1. Barcelona Tourism to space!

"A total of 38 people have now reserved a room in the Galactic Suite space hotel, 450 km. above the Earth’s surface. Galactic Suite Project was set up in Barcelona in January 2007 by a group of architects, aerospace engineers and industrial engineers from Spain and the US.

The Barcelona-based company is aiming to develop an “orbital hotel chain” with modular space accommodation based on the natural growth of a grapevine. The chain will orbit the Earth at an altitude of 450 km (300 miles) and will welcome its first guests in 2012."

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2. Golf: winter sunshine destination

Are you a Golf player? The Costa Brava counts with a good number of golf courses. There are around twenty golf courses for your choice in the region. The proximity with the city of Barcelona, attracts everyone to these beautiful areas.

Golf in the Costa Brava means quality and variety, and there is plenty to please everyone, both on the golf courses and off. Recommended: PGA de Catalunya with a stunning layout, as are Emporda and Platja de Pals.

3. Spain in 3rd place of the World Holiday Destination

Around 59.2 million visitors last year made Spain the world’s third most visited holiday destination. This position, ahead of the United States, it has held consistently for decades.

The tourism in Spain has increased a 3% since last year. Spain received a total of 7,7 million tourists only in August, and in total 41,5 million since January. The most visited place was Catalonia, with 2,2 million tourists in August.

Spain remains the most popular destination, and Barcelona plays a very important role.

All inclusive holidays

4. Sagrada Familia, the main attraction

The Expiatory Temple of the Holy Familiy, received almost 2,9 million visitors between June 2007 and May 2008. This figures make the Sagrada Familia the main tourist attraction of Barcelona Spain. This figure represents an increase of 8.6% over the same period last year.

Most of the visitors were from the United Kingdom, with almost 21% of visits. Germany in second place, with almost 10%, and the U.S.A. in third place with almost 9,5% of visits.

From the total, 75% of visitors to the Sagrada Familia have received university education.

5. La Mercè 2008 attracts 1,6 million people in six days

This year the city's "festa major" was more diversified with new festival sites away from downtown, to spread the celebrations around.

Between Friday 19 and Wednesday 24 it is estimated up to 1.6 million people took part in La Mercè. As regards public transport, the final total of underground journeys made by festival goers is estimated to be about 4,8 million.

More activities in Barcelona

1. Barcelona hotel booking up 3%!

In August, the hotel bookings in Barcelona increased 3% since 2007. The French and British tourists increased with a 4,5% and 10,6 % respectively.

In the first 8 months, Catalonia has received a total of 10,9 million tourists, which is a 26,3% of the total number of tourists in Spain, and 1,5% more than the last year.

Cheap Hotels Barcelona

2. NEW! Tickets now available

Are you a fan of the Barcelona Soccer Team?
Even if are not, you should visit the Camp Nou Stadium and FC Barcelona Museum. They are part of the most important attractions of the city.

Want to watch the FC Barcelona team in action? Do not miss this unique "living" attraction in the Camp Nou stadium.

FC Barcelona Tickets

3. Autumn Holiday Packages

Barcelona Spain has the advantage of having a sunny weather most of the time, and also a fantastic average temperature of round 18ºC.

Autumn is a good time for visitors who want to have less crowded places, while enjoying of nice weather. Not to mention that the prices, in many cases, are much more convenient than in high season.

Package including Cheap Airfare

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