Issue date: 02 Jan, 2015
TOURISM
Two new stamps are in circulation in the Tourism series, with designs depicting some of Spain's tourist attractions. Aspects such as Spain's art, culture, cuisine, climate and heritage fiestas offer a wide range of options which have made this country one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.
Since Spain's tourism boom began in the 1960s, mainly thanks to increased spending power among Europe's middle classes and improved infrastructure in Spain, the tourism industry has grown to become one of the biggest drivers of the country's economy. Tourism professionals and official institutions both contributed to this expansion, in which the Spanish Tourism Institute (Turespaña) had an important role. This national body promotes Spain as a tourist destination around the world, with a network of 33 Tourism Offices abroad which work to raise the country's profile.
Spain's attractiveness for international tourism has led to the choice of Madrid as the host of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in mid-April. This event brings together industry leaders from the five continents to decide on their travel and tourism strategies and initiatives. Attendees include airlines, hotel chains, travel agencies, tour operators and travel-related technology providers. The international summit defends three basic priorities for the development of current and future tourism: freedom to travel, policies for growth, and tourism for tomorrow.
Since 1999, the WTTC has been held in cities such as Washington, Dubai, Beijing, Las Vegas, Tokyo and Abu Dhabi.
The new stamps form part of a line of designs illustrating the different tourist attractions that make this country so unique. The €1 stamp includes the official logo of the World Travel & Tourism Council and tourism-related images of the city of Madrid.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.