Asturias in northern Spain, last year’s ANVR conference destination, is developing into a popular destination for Dutch people. Asturias received 30 percent more visitors from the Netherlands in July this year than in the same month last year. This is reported by the ANVR on the basis of reports from the Spanish newspaper El Comercio de Asturias. “We believe that the ANVR congress, which took place in Asturias last year, has contributed in a positive way to the increase in Dutch tourism in this region,” the ANVR notes cautiously. Asturias is consolidating its position as one of the favorite tourist destinations for foreigners, writes the Spanish newspaper. “Asturias is fashionable as a destination. Asturias and the Basque Country are the driving force behind the growth of international tourism in the north of Spain, ahead of the sun and beach destinations that always lead the way.” According to the newspaper, this is evident from figures from Turespaña, the government body that falls under the Ministry of Industry and Tourism. Asturias appears to be the favorite destination for travelers from the Netherlands, with an increase of 30 percent in July compared to the same month last year. In fact, the region, like the rest of the country (excluding Galicia and Cantabria), also benefited from the increase in the number of travelers from the United Kingdom, which is the main market. Spanish inbound tourism is on the rise this year anyway. In July, Spain recorded more than 11 million international air passengers, an increase of 8.6 percent compared to the same month last year. That brings the total to 60.1 million passengers since January. This is more than 12 percent more than in the first seven months of last year. As you know, this year’s ANVR congress will be held in Oman, from Wednesday 13 to Sunday 17 November. For more information and registration, see www.anvrcongres2024.nl
