‘Spain beats records’

The number of tourists visiting Spain during the first seven months of the year smashed previous records with 34 million foreigners travelling to the country – the highest figure in history.

While numbers of Russian and Nordic tourists rose, the UK, France and Germany continued to make up the majority of arrivals, accounting for 54.7 per cent of visitors – a “loyal stable tourist profile”, according to ABC. Government estimates predict a further 22.3 million visitors will arrive in the third quarter of the year.

Together with a rise in exports, the figures come as a welcome boost to the beleaguered Spanish economy, with the Madrid-based newspaper noting in its leader that, “Tourism and exports emerge as Spain’s new economic engines.” Spanish exports netted €118.72 billion during the first six months of 2013, a rise of 8 per cent compared to 2012 figures.