Spanish Consumer Price Index rises by 1.2 pct

MADRID, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Spain rose by 1.2 percent during March, 0.1 percent more than in February, according to preliminary data published on Tuesday by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE).

This is the highest rise in prices since November 2017, when the index stood at 1.7 percent, and considerably higher than January this year when the CPI stood at 0.6 percent.

INE says the rise is partly due to the increase in prices in the tourism sector given that the Easter holidays fall during March this year, as such, hotel prices hike to high season levels.

However, the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks has also contributed to the increase, due to their prices remaining stable during the month, compared to the same time last year when they dropped in price.

"The behavior (of prices) shows the stability of food and non-alcoholic drinks compared with the fall in prices experienced in 2017. The rise in prices in tourist services due to Easter week has also had an influence," commented INE, who will publish more complete data on April 13. Enditem