Croatia Joins Spain, Italy, Iceland, Malta, Latvia, Finland and Bosnia in Driving European Tourism Boom With Double-Digit Growth This April

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Croatia has joined Spain, Italy, Iceland, Malta, Latvia, Finland, and Bosnia in driving a remarkable surge in European tourism this April, with each destination reporting double-digit growth in international arrivals and overnight stays. This collective boost comes as travelers across the globe return to Europe in growing numbers, encouraged by a mix of spring festivals, relaxed travel rules, and competitive flight options that make even lesser-known destinations more accessible. While Spain drew massive crowds to its islands and Italy saw a royal visit spark a spike in tourism, Croatia’s coastal towns and national parks pulled in early-season visitors seeking a quieter, authentic escape. At the same time, countries like Iceland, Latvia, and Bosnia saw strong gains from nature-based travel and digital nomads, proving that Europe’s tourism revival is not only widespread but increasingly diverse in what it offers and who it attracts.

Croatia Joins the Boom With Strong Visitor Growth

Croatia is riding a major wave this spring. The country recorded double-digit growth in tourist arrivals and overnight stays in April 2025 compared to last year. Visitors poured in from Germany, Austria, Poland, and other nearby countries, drawn to Croatia’s coastal towns, national parks, and city festivals.

Zagreb saw a bump from city break tourists, while Dalmatian hotspots like Split and Dubrovnik welcomed early-season cruise ships and charter flights. With airline capacity back in full swing and more events returning, Croatia has firmly re-entered the travel spotlight this April.

Hotels across Croatia felt the buzz this April as more travelers returned earlier in the season than usual. While official occupancy rates haven’t been publicly released, the country logged over 1.6 million hotel overnight stays, with foreign visitors making up a whopping 3.1 million nights—a solid 20% jump from last year. From the cobbled streets of Zagreb to the sunny shores of Dalmatia, hotels saw bookings climb steadily, thanks in part to new flight routes and an uptick in springtime cultural events that drew in curious, early-season travelers.

Spain Breaks Records With 8.6 Million Tourists

Spain didn’t just do well—it dominated. In April alone, the country welcomed over 8.6 million international travelers, a sharp 10% increase from last year. That’s one of the best Aprils Spain has ever seen.

The Balearic Islands—Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca—stood out with nearly 3 million tourists between January and April. Growth from Nordic countries, Italy, and non-EU regions like the U.S. helped fuel the boom. Spain also benefited from a packed cultural calendar and a strong hotel and airline network that kept the tourism engine humming.

Spain’s hotels had a strong showing this April, filling up faster than they did last year. Nationwide, occupancy hit 59.6%, rising more than 5 percentage points compared to April 2024. The Balearic Islands stole the spotlight, reaching nearly 72% occupancy, the highest rate in the country. Travelers flocked to island hotspots like Mallorca and Ibiza, drawn by beach-ready weather, Easter festivities, and a host of new low-cost airline routes that made quick getaways from across Europe even easier.

Italy Gets a Royal Boost From Ravenna

Italy’s tourism numbers shot up this April, thanks in part to a royal visit that put the spotlight on Ravenna. When King Charles and Queen Camilla toured the city’s ancient churches and newly opened Lord Byron museum, interest skyrocketed.

That interest turned into action. Ravenna saw a 16% jump in tourist arrivals during the month. Elsewhere, Italy’s cities and countryside also saw an uptick as travelers from the UK, France, and the U.S. took advantage of spring deals and warm weather. Italy continues to balance heritage charm with fresh experiences, and it clearly worked in April.

Italy’s hotel sector saw a major boost this April, especially in its most iconic cities. Rome hit a high point on April 25, with occupancy soaring to 88.8%—one of the busiest days of the month. That spike followed a wave of tourist interest fueled by major cultural events, new flight options from North America, and even a royal visit that brought extra attention to nearby destinations like Ravenna. With warmer weather and buzzing piazzas returning earlier than usual, hotels across the country reported stronger-than-expected spring bookings.

Iceland Bounces Back With Airline Momentum

After a slower March, Iceland came roaring back. The country reported around 369,000 hotel overnight stays in April—up 11.3% from a year ago. U.S. visitors made up nearly a quarter of all foreign stays, and northern regions of the country posted some of the highest growth rates, with one area jumping almost 48%.

Icelandair helped push the numbers higher, carrying 381,000 passengers during the month, a 24% rise from April 2024. Almost one-third of those travelers came to Iceland to stay, while others connected through to Europe and North America. Between volcano hikes, geothermal spas, and Instagram-worthy landscapes, Iceland’s comeback is clearly in motion.

Hotel stays across Iceland picked up real momentum this April, as international visitors poured in once again. The country recorded around 369,000 hotel nights, up 11.3% from the same month in 2024. Nearly nine out of every ten guests came from abroad, with U.S. travelers leading the way. Northern regions like Akureyri and Húsavík saw particularly strong gains as travelers sought out whale watching, hot springs, and scenic drives under crisp blue skies. Hotel owners welcomed the rush, with some reporting their best April occupancy since pre-pandemic times.

Malta Pulls Visitors With Island Appeal

Malta proved that small can be mighty. The island nation posted a 17.2% rise in foreign overnight stays during the first quarter of 2025—and April continued that trend.

Low-cost airlines brought in travelers from Germany, the UK, and Italy. Meanwhile, Valletta and Gozo offered history-rich attractions and boutique hotel stays that appealed to both families and luxury travelers. Festivals, mild weather, and a buzzing harborfront scene gave Malta a big boost at just the right time.

Malta saw a healthy mix of sunseekers and city explorers checking into hotels this April, pushing occupancy rates upward. Three-star hotels came out on top, filling 84% of their rooms—a strong repeat of last year’s performance. Four-star properties climbed to 70%, and even five-star hotels posted 52.5% occupancy, a slight improvement over 2024. Spring travel promotions, direct flights from new markets, and the appeal of Malta’s heritage-packed capital helped boost stays across the island, giving local hoteliers an early lift ahead of the summer high season.

Latvia Leads EU With Nearly 19% Tourism Spike

Latvia quietly became one of Europe’s top-performing destinations. From January through March, the country logged an 18.5% increase in foreign overnight stays—the highest across the EU—and the momentum carried into April.

Riga pulled in architecture lovers, digital nomads, and nightlife seekers. Jurmala attracted wellness travelers and beachgoers. Budget airlines reopened key routes from Scandinavia and Germany, making Latvia more accessible and more popular than it’s been in years.

Latvia’s hotel data for April 2025 is still under wraps until the end of June, but signs already point to a busy spring. Early reports show that overnight stays surged by 18.5% in the first quarter, and Riga’s hotels in particular stayed busy. Between Baltic heritage festivals, fresh low-cost air links, and growing digital nomad traffic, hotels welcomed a steady wave of guests through the month. Industry insiders expect April’s final numbers to reflect one of the country’s strongest spring seasons in recent years.

Finland Attracts Visitors With Nature and Culture

Finland saw tourism rise by 10.6% in early 2025, and April kept that upward curve going. Helsinki welcomed more city travelers, while Lapland drew in nature lovers hoping to catch the last of the northern lights.

Forest resorts, wildlife safaris, and eco-lodges offered a refreshing escape from crowded cities elsewhere. Finland’s spring festivals, clean image, and growing reputation for unique outdoor experiences brought back travelers in numbers the country hadn’t seen since before the pandemic.

Finland’s hotel industry saw solid traction in April, especially in the north. Nationwide hotel occupancy reached 46%, with average daily rates climbing to €110—and even higher, at €140, in Lapland. Foreign travelers continued to chase the final weeks of northern lights, spring skiing, and forest retreats. Helsinki hotels also benefited from weekend getaways and European conference travel. The steady pace of bookings suggests travelers are finding renewed interest in Finland’s slower, nature-based rhythm.

Bosnia Becomes Europe’s Surprise Favorite

Bosnia and Herzegovina came out of the shadows in April to become one of Europe’s fastest-rising stars. While the total visitor count may not match bigger countries, the growth in global search and booking interest ranked Bosnia at the top.

Cities like Sarajevo and Mostar saw strong demand from travelers seeking cultural depth and authentic experiences. Nature routes through the Dinaric Alps pulled in hikers and eco-tourists, while affordable prices and fresh marketing gave Bosnia a much-needed visibility boost.

Bosnia and Herzegovina may not have released exact occupancy numbers for April just yet, but the energy on the ground says plenty. Hoteliers in cities like Sarajevo and Mostar reported stronger bookings than last year, and travel searches for the country soared across booking platforms. Budget-conscious European travelers, weekenders from the Gulf region, and road-tripping explorers all contributed to a noticeable bump. With more flights connecting Bosnia to the continent, local accommodations enjoyed a fresh wave of visibility—and visitors.

New International Airline Routes to Croatia, Spain, Italy, Iceland, Malta, Latvia, Finland, and Bosnia in 2025CountryAirlineNew/Expanded RoutesStart DateCroatiaT’way AirSeoul to Zagreb (3x weekly)June 10 – Oct 25, 2025Air TransatToronto to Zagreb (3x weekly)May – Oct 2025SpainJet2Bournemouth–Malaga, Luton–PalmaSummer 2025Delta Air LinesBoston to Barcelona (3x weekly)Summer 2025Air EuropaMadrid to Istanbul (4x weekly → daily)Daily from July 7, 2025ItalyAlaska AirlinesSeattle to Rome (nonstop)May 2026 (advance booking 2025)American AirlinesU.S. to Rome and MilanSummer 2025Cathay PacificHong Kong to Rome (resumed after 5 years)2025IcelandIcelandairEdinburgh to ReykjavikSept 2025 – April 2026SASStockholm to Keflavik (seasonal)Summer 2025MaltaLOT Polish AirlinesWarsaw to Malta (4x weekly)April 16, 2025Universal AirMalta to Tripoli Mitiga, Salerno Pontecagnano2025LatviaairBalticRiga to Faro; Tallinn to MadeiraSept & Oct 2025flydubaiDubai to Riga (first direct UAE-Latvia route)Dec 12, 2025FinlandFinnairIncreased flights to Kittilä, Rovaniemi, Ivalo from HelsinkiWinter 2025LOT Polish AirlinesWarsaw to Rovaniemi (2x weekly)Nov 27, 2025Bosnia & HerzegovinaRyanairNew European routes from Sarajevo (doubling traffic)Summer 2025SunExpressTwo new routes to Sarajevo2025Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)Copenhagen to Sarajevo2025

Croatia joins Spain, Italy, Iceland, Malta, Latvia, Finland, and Bosnia in driving Europe’s tourism boom this April as soaring demand, expanded flight routes, and spring events fuel double-digit growth across the region.

Together, They’re Driving Europe’s Comeback

Whether it was royal visits in Italy, record-breaking crowds in Spain, or Iceland’s airline recovery, each country added a piece to Europe’s tourism puzzle in April. What ties them together is the return of momentum—double-digit growth, packed hotels, and new routes opening the skies again.

Croatia now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with this group of tourism leaders. As we head into summer, the April surge shows travelers are eager to return, explore, and reconnect with Europe—and Europe is more than ready to welcome them.