Spain slips into 3rd place in world ranking tourism numbers

Spain has been knocked out of second place by the USA in the world ranking for tourism numbers. The USA saw a 3.7% rise as 58 million foreigners crossed its shores in 2008. Spain's tourist numbers fell by 2.6% to 57.4 million. Spain now sits in 3rd place.

Spain has also long been number two for income from tourism, with the USA top and France third. North America is now in second place for both.

The World Tourism Organisation warned before the end of 2008 that both Europe and the Americas – North, South and Central – would be adversely affected by the crisis in terms of income from holidaymakers.

In total, 924 million people travelled abroad last year, which was 2% more than in 2007.

Worldwide tourism numbers are expected to fall by 3% in 2009.