The biggest rise in Spain tourism in five years may help the country to recover from recession. The number of tourists to Spain is expected to increase to 55.3 million in 2011, based on several factors. These include cancellations to North Africa due to political unrest, rising fuel costs that make long haul flights more expensive and the economic recovery in northern European countries prompting more travel.

Hotels in Spain have further reduced their prices this summer to cash-in on the tourist rush away from North Africa, where hotel occupancy has fallen 46% in the first four months of this year. Many of the best hotels in Spain have provided cheaper deals to lure travelers. For the first time four years, tour packages to Spain are also cheaper than those to Turkey. Tui Travel, Europe's largest tour operator, has increased their package holidays to Spain by 10% , and the number of airline seats to Spain will also rise by over 8%.