The country welcomed 9.1 million international tourists in April, a 5.2% increase compared to the same period of last year, according to data published on Monday by the National Statistics Institute.

After a sluggish start to the year, Spain’s tourism sector regained momentum as the spring season unfolded.

International arrivals accelerated in April, posting the strongest year-on-year growth in the past 12 months and underlining the continued resilience of demand from overseas visitors.

A couple take selfies in a crowded Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, May 24, 2023. Photo by Reuters

Analysts attribute the upswing to a combination of factors, including the continued recovery of long-haul travel particularly from the Americas, a resurgence in business travel, and growing demand for destinations perceived as safe and stable amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, EuroNews reported.

Spain welcomed 96.8 million foreign tourists last year, a 3.2% increase from 2024, making it the second most visited country globally, behind France with 105 million visitors.