New UK-spain ferry launches this weekend

This Sunday Sees the launch of cross-Channel ferry company Brittany Ferries' second service from the UK to Spain. The company will offer twice-weekly services from Portsmouth to the scenic city of Bilbao on the Franco-Spanish border.

Brittany's continuing expansion into Spain reflects the continuing demand from British tourists for holidays in the popular Mediterranean nation, which despite the economic downturn shows no signs of ceasing. The company found that particularly due to the constant disruptions in European air travel last year, more people are turning to the ferry as their method of choice to get to their Spanish holiday home.

"As the number of air travellers from the UK to Spain have declined, we've witnessed a surge in demand for direct UK Spain crossings", said passenger commercial director Mike Bevens. "Bilbao has forged a reputation as a destination in its own right in recent years."