August, not a good month for tourism in Almeria.

 HOTELIERS in Almeria report that despite their high hopes, August was not a good month for tourism in the province.

The disturbances in the Arab world had led hoteliers to hope that tourists would head for safer destinations where they could enjoy the sun and sand in peace, boosting tourism in the province.

In August the total number of tourists to visit the province fell by 17,000 compared to last year to 170,000. On the up side, the province was visited by 2,500 more foreign tourists, so it appears that it was the Spanish market which let them down.

There were just over 826,000 overnight stays in Almeria hotels, which is 80,000 more than in July, but 56,000 less than August last year, National Institute of Statistics figures show. Again, the number of overnight stays registered amongst foreign tourists rose by 30,000, while the figures for Spanish tourists fell by 85,000 compared to August last year.