58m people 'holidayed in Spain last year'
More than 58 million people chose to take their holidays in Spain last year, according to new figures.

Research by e-Travel Blackboard found that the country remained one of the most popular holiday destinations in the word, with the tourist sector accounting for 11 per cent of its gross domestic product in 2006.

This indicates its continuing importance to the Spanish economy, as well as its potential as an overseas investment spot.

Figures showed that during 2006, the country's holiday industry generated 48 billion euros, while the trend was also found to have continued throughout this year as well.

Between January and July 2007, almost 34 million people were said to have visited for leisure purposes, two per cent more than during the same period of 2006.

This comes after the country's National Statistics Institute found that an increasing number of British tourists are choosing to visit Spain out of season, according to the Typically Spanish website.