MADRID: Spain’s government announced on Tuesday that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East might actually lead to a great tourist season for the country. However, there are concerns that this situation could also negatively impact a vital part of Spain’s economy.
Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu noted that many travelers, who might have considered visiting the Middle East, may now choose Spain and other western Mediterranean destinations that seem safer.
“But we also need to consider factors like rising energy costs, which mean higher prices for air travel,” he pointed out, highlighting that most international visitors arrive by plane.
Hereu shared that there has been a noticeable increase in last-minute bookings since the war began, and he is optimistic about a “magnificent” Easter for tourism.
“We have various factors at play. Some may boost tourism in the upcoming months, while others could challenge the growth we’ve seen,” he added.
In 2025, Spain welcomed a record 97 million international tourists, marking a 3.5 percent rise from the previous year. This made Spain the second most visited country in the world, with visitors from Britain and Germany accounting for about one-third of all arrivals.
The strong tourism sector has been a key driver for Spain’s economic growth in recent years, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe.
However, the Bank of Spain recently warned of a potential “significant slowdown” due to the conflict, though it still expects a 2.3 percent growth this year.
The Arab Spring uprisings that began in 2010 had a positive effect on Spain’s tourism, as many travelers opted to visit Spain instead of countries affected by conflict, seeing it as a safe and attractive holiday spot compared to other sunny destinations like Tunisia and Egypt.
