News

Spain continued to be Europe's foremost tourist destination in 2007, with 273m nights spent in hotels in the country, more than any other EU member state.

Some 250m nights were spent in hotels in Italy in 2006, followed by Germany (215m in 2007), France (204m) and the United Kingdom (178m).

These five counties accounted for more than 70% of the total number of hotel stays in EU nations last year, according to figures released by statistical office Eurostat.

While Spain led the industry in the total number of overnight stays, Poland saw the biggest year-on-year increase of 11.5%, followed by Romania (9.1%), Latvia (9%), Malta (8.5%) and the Netherlands (8.3%).

The total number of nights spent in hotels in the EU reached 1,578m last year, which represents an increase of 3.1% on 2006.

Spain's tourism industry is set to be boosted further in coming years by a new shopping centre on the Costa del Sol.

The complex will be based in the town of Torremolinos and developed by property and investment group Peel Holdings, which owns Manchester's Trafford Centre.

Opodo is a leading online travel company offering flights, hotels, rental cars and holidays worldwide. Search for travel deals.