Spanish tourism figures surge as Turkey and Tunisia visitor numbers falter

THE Spanish tourism surge is in full swing with new figures confirming holidaymakers are shunning Turkey and North Africa for ‘safer’ European destinations.

While tourist arrivals in April jumped 11.3% to 6.1 million compared with the same month in 2015, tourist numbers for the first four months of the year are up by a massive 13%.

A total of 18.1 million people have holidayed in Spain up to April.

British visitors were up, with 4 million coming over, a 19.4% increase compared to the same period last year.

Last year’s Tunisian attack in Sousse which saw 38 people tragically shot has halted the north African country’s tourism.

While visitors to Turkey, which has seen several bombings this year, fell by 28% in April compared to the same month last year.

And it’s not just holidaymakers opting for the safety and sun of the Spanish costas  – recent figures reveal a massive 26% of Brits plan to retire here.