Foreign tourism to Spain soars in 2021, but some distance below pre-pandemic level

MADRID, Feb 2 (Reuters) – Foreign tourism to Spain rebounded 64% final year from 2020’s historical coronavirus smash but did no longer attain half its pre-pandemic ranges, files confirmed on Wednesday, as transferring move restrictions and ongoing outbreaks extend many guests.

Moral over 31 million tourists visited in 2021, up from 19 million in 2020, the National Statistics Institute (INE) acknowledged, but that used to be a some distance bawl from the 83.5 million who came in 2019.

General, tourists spent 34.82 billion euros ($39.30 billion) in Spain final year, in contrast with 19.79 billion in 2020 and 91.91 billion in 2019.

Even supposing Spain loosened entry restrictions within the spring within the hope of salvaging its summer season, an ever-altering patchwork of restrictions and pointers one day of Europe stored a lid on international move.

A leisurely originate to international vaccine campaigns first and foremost of the year and the delayed originate of the European Union COVID passport also took their toll.

Nonetheless arrivals files for December beat expectations despite the approach of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Some 2.95 million tourists visited the nation in December, the knowledge confirmed in contrast with valid 649,000 the earlier year, driving a 76% prolong in expenditure.

“December has grew to radically change out higher than we anticipated and that helps us meet the pinnacle of year forecasts”, Minister of Alternate, Commerce and Tourism Reyes Maroto acknowledged in a assertion.

She acknowledged she used to be optimistic that 2022 would bring “shut to a plump recovery of the field”.

“Spain will expend its advantages in contrast with other competing destinations,” she added.

Reporting by Inti Landauro and Christina Thykjaer; Bettering by Nathan Allen and Alison Williams

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