How deep the fall in visitor numbers to Spain from other European countries has been revealed by figures showing the number of arrivals at Spain's airports earlier this year - and it hasn't set a good precedent for 2009 as a whole for the Spanish holidays industry.
And more recently another report which looks at how the Spanish holidays market is doing in the run up to the peak summer holiday months indicate as many as half of all holidays in Spain could be unsold, and that near 12 per cent drop in January could look quite good by the end of the year if people don't start booking their normal Tenerife or Menorca holidays for example pretty soon.
Spain will be hoping that people who have holidayed there before will remember just how good a holiday in Spain is, and decide whatever the economic uncertainties are at home that a trip to Spain will brighten them up - and brighten the Spanish holidays industry up at the same time!
Majorca for example has been a major summer holiday destination for several years. Many people don't realise the magnificent deals to be taken advantage of during the winter months as well though. Winter visitors can stay at the same beautiful, award winning hotels and resorts for a fraction of the price of the summer holidays season. Winter time is also the season when you can enjoy newly ripened citrus fruit from the local groves. Wintertime holiday packages can be booked for as little as 325 euros.
Many people prefer the slower paced winter holidays to the hustle and bustle of the busy summer holiday season, and Spain will be hoping that as the year goes by the European economies will pick up, and more out of season bookings will occur from those who didn't visit in the summer. Temperatures in the winter season on Majorca range from 6 degrees Celsius (42 degrees Fahrenheit) to 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit). These mild temperatures help make Majorca the perfect wintertime destination for those who enjoy cooler temperatures and mild winter weather. Helping Majorca is the fact that recently three of her hotels have received Excellence and Leisure Nominations and Awards.
Also recognised for some really good holiday accommodation has been Majorca's sister island of Menorca.
In a year when Menorca and other holiday destinations need good news to remind tourists why they should visit, three Menorca hotels have done well on the Spanish holiday island.
Menorca is well known in Europe as an ideal island for villa holidays - of the three Balearic Islands it's quieter than both Majorca and Ibiza, and is popular with families looking to spend quality time together, and part of Menorca's appeal are the family friendly restaurants and beaches.
So the fact that Menorca has been recognised for her hotels as well as traditional villa holidays is welcome at a time when the holidays market is battling the recession to keep the tourists flying in for a week or two's Menorca holidays.
The Hotel Apartments Princesa Playa in Cala en Bosc is named as one of the world's best family hotels - reinforcing the Menorca holidays image as one of being family friendly.
The other two Menorca hotels that get a mention in the European best hotels category are the Blanc Palace in Sa Caleta and the Royal Son Bou in Son Bou - both previously not particularly well known of all the hotels in Menorca.
And while hotels in Menorca continue to provide excellent service and standards of accommodation, the island has every chance of staying as a top holiday location.
