Spain remained the most popular destination for UK holidaymakers in summer 2006, followed by Greece, Cyprus and Portugal, according to figures released at ABTA.
However, long haul destinations including Africa, Asia and South America all grew substantially in summer 2006.
Africa saw a healthy visitor number increase of 10%, with Egypt up 11%, Kenya up 50%, Morocco up 33% and Tunisia up 4%. The tsunami-affected countries of Thailand and Sri Lanka also performed well, up 17% and 19% respectively.
The most spectacular percentage increase was achieved by Brazil, up 560%. Germany, meanwhile, saw a 32% increase in UK visitors.
Spain reported a growth of 1.2% in UK tourists from January to October this year, with 14.5 million British visitors.
Andalucia’s minister for tourism, commerce and sport Paulino Plata said the growth was down to more demanding customers looking for more than a two week bucket and spade package.
Last year alone 1.2 million of the UK’s visitors to the country were there entirely on cultural trips.
He said the market was being driven by low cost carriers opening up lesser known areas of the country while holiday makers want more than just a beach.
Plata added the growth should be continued with the launch of a new website andalucia.org which aims to highlight the region’s different attractions.