SEVILLE, Spain, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili, told Xinhua on Wednesday that he believes that Spain has taken a lead in the field of rural tourism.
He spoke to Xinhua at the World Travel and Tourism Council Summit, which is being held in the Spanish city of Seville during April 2-4.
Year 2018 saw 82.8 million foreign tourists visit Spain. Although the vast majority of those visited Spain's beaches, increasing numbers are visiting Spain, for the culture and gastronomy offered by rural tourism.
"It is an example that Spain should show to others," said Pololikashvili, whose organization is looking to strengthen the rural sector.
"That is one of the new objectives of our organization and we are happy that Spain is taking the lead. With their example, we are going to show other countries how to develop in this field," he added.
Rural tourism grew by 15 percent in Spain during 2018, although only 784,715 foreign visitors came to the country specifically for a rural getaway. Nevertheless, the infrastructure for rural tourism is increasing all the time in Spain, with around over 17,000 establishments offering accommodation.
The problem is that this accommodation has an average occupancy level of just below 19 percent.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez used his speech at the WTTC Summit to invite visitors to discover the delights of rural Spain.
"I am talking of special tradition, of authentic gastronomy and all that there is beyond sun and beach tourism," he commented, adding that rural tourism is a potent tool against the threat of rural depopulation.
"I want to highlight the need to promote tourism in this fascinating area of Spain which wants to become open to the world. We have a tremendous potential for growth in rural tourism and I am certain, it will be a great opportunity or the challenges of our country, such as re-population," said the Prime Minister.
Speaking to Xinhua, Spain's Secretary of State for Tourism Isabel Oliver said the public and private sector would have to work together for this to happen, although she added that one of the government's aims was to promote rural tourism in Spain to Chinese visitors.
"They value our culture, the way we are and our nature. They are also interesting for us as they tend not to visit at the same time as others come to visit the beach," said Oliver.
According to the Spanish government, 649,000 Chinese tourists visited Spain in 2018 and Oliver believes rural Spain is the perfect attraction for more in the future.
"They will find excellent gastronomy, wonderful countryside and nature and I tell them they should come and visit this wonderful country," she concluded.
