Tourism data points to mixed results

Tourists spent nearly £200m in Gibraltar last year, nearly a fifth more than in 2014 despite a dip in the number of visitors to the Rock.

Gibraltar had just under one percent fewer visitors during 2015 but according to the latest Tourist Survey these sightseers spent 19% more than travellers did in the previous year.

The total number of visitors slipped from 10.25m in 2014 to 10.17m last year, reflecting a trend that has seen arrivals drop from a peak of 11.9m in 2011.

And even though visitors spent more money last year than in 2014, the figure was nonetheless the second lowest annual tourist expenditure in a decade.

The report states that an estimated £199.93 million was spent on the Rock by tourists, which aside from 2014 represents the lowest expenditure since 2005. In 2014, tourist expenditure was £168m.

The highest tourist expenditure in the last 10 years was in 2011, when visitors spent nearly £280m.

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