Spain's government stated it anticipated the Middle East conflict would lead to a strong tourist season, yet cautioned that the crisis might also negatively affect a vital engine of the Spanish economy.
Tourists intending to vacation in the Middle East might now opt for seemingly safer locations in the western Mediterranean such as Spain, stated Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu.
"However, there are also elements such as the rise in energy expenses, which results in elevated air travel costs," he mentioned, highlighting that most international visitors arrive by air.
The minister stated that Spain has seen a spike in last-minute reservations since the war began, anticipating a "magnificent" Easter for tourism.
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"There are various factors; some could enhance the development of tourism in the upcoming months, while others present challenges to the growth we were witnessing," states Hereu.
A historic 97 million international visitors traveled to Spain in 2025, increasing by 3.5 percent compared to the preceding year, solidifying its position as the world's second most popular destination.
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Tourists from Germany and Britain accounted for about a third of all foreign visitors.
Robust tourism earnings have allowed Spain to achieve one of the highest economic growth rates in Europe in recent times.
Last week, the Bank of Spain cautioned about a potential "significant slowdown" because of the Middle East conflict, yet it continues to predict a 2.3 percent growth for this year.
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The uprisings of the Arab Spring throughout the Middle East and North Africa, starting in 2010, enhanced Spain's tourism industry.
Spaniards mainly traveled domestically instead of going to conflict-affected nations, while international visitors rose, as tourists viewed Spain as a secure alternative to competing sunny locales like Tunisia and Egypt.