Tourists flock to Spain in 'never-ending' boom
Spain's astonishing tourism boom continued in the first four months of 2014, with the country receiving 15.3 million international visitors, up 9.2 percent on the same period last year.
The country received around 1.3 million more foreign visitors more from January to April 2014 than in the same period last year, the figures from Spanish government agency Frontur show.
The number of tourists from Germany was up 11 percent to 2.51 million, while 3.1 million Brits arrived (up 6.5 percent). In addition, 13 percent more Italians flocked to Spanish shores (0.87 million)
Andualusia saw a 10 percent year-on-year rise in foreign tourism, while Valencia chalked up a 9 percent increase and Madrid saw a 5 percent boost.
SEE ALSO: The Local's gallery of Spain's top 10 best beaches for 2014
In the Balearic islands, meanwhile, visitor numbers slipped 6.8 percent to 1.1 million.
April alone saw 5.26 million foreign visitors in Spain, with the Easter season responsible for the huge numbers.
In 2013, Spain overtook China to become the world's third most popular destination for international tourists, by luring 60.6 million visitors.
Those visitors splashed out a new record sum of €59.08 billion ($80.82 billion) as political unrest in Turkey and northern Africa saw tourists turn their attention towards Spain.
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The country received around 1.3 million more foreign visitors more from January to April 2014 than in the same period last year, the figures from Spanish government agency Frontur show.
The number of tourists from Germany was up 11 percent to 2.51 million, while 3.1 million Brits arrived (up 6.5 percent). In addition, 13 percent more Italians flocked to Spanish shores (0.87 million)
Andualusia saw a 10 percent year-on-year rise in foreign tourism, while Valencia chalked up a 9 percent increase and Madrid saw a 5 percent boost.
SEE ALSO: The Local's gallery of Spain's top 10 best beaches for 2014
In the Balearic islands, meanwhile, visitor numbers slipped 6.8 percent to 1.1 million.
April alone saw 5.26 million foreign visitors in Spain, with the Easter season responsible for the huge numbers.
In 2013, Spain overtook China to become the world's third most popular destination for international tourists, by luring 60.6 million visitors.
Those visitors splashed out a new record sum of €59.08 billion ($80.82 billion) as political unrest in Turkey and northern Africa saw tourists turn their attention towards Spain.
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