Spain welcomes record number of tourists in july

Spain welcomed a record number of tourists in July, according to official figures.

7.7 million international visitors arrived in the country last month, the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism announced, an increase of 4.4 per cent compared to July 2011.

Germany and France were the main tourist players, with the majority of them heading to Catalonia.

"This increase strengthens the positive trend seen throughout the year, with the exception of the month of April," commented the Ministry.

Indeed, Spain has welcomed a total of 33 million tourists across 2012, reports Kyero, 3.3 per cent higher than the same period last year. UK tourists totalled 1.76 million, up 0.5 per cent from last year, with Brits plumping for the Balearics over Catalonia.

In total, Catalonia received 2.02 million tourists, up 9%, while the second place Balearic Islands saw visitors increase by 2.6 per cent in July to 1.98 million.