Spain Hotels and Resorts - Although historical sites and unique cultural features had always made Spain attractive to foreign visitors, the tourist takeoff began in the mid-1950s. This shooting off was based primarily on the recreational assets of the Mediterranean seashore areas. The country had fewer than 1 million tourists in 1950, but this number has been increased steadily, reaching more than 34 million in 1973, and more than 50 million in 2003.