After data indicated a strong increase in September arrivals, the government stated on Wednesday that international travel to Spain is recovering quickly and that the tourism-dependent country could reach pre-pandemic levels by 2022.

According to figures from the National Statistics Office, the number of foreign tourists visiting Spain more than doubled from a year ago in September, to roughly 4.7 million, as widespread immunization and loosened travel restrictions drew more visitors back.

In a statement, Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto remarked, “These numbers confirm a reactivation of international tourism is happening and that we could recover pre-pandemic levels in 2022.”

Spain’s natural tourist attractions, as well as the country’s high vaccination rate (about 80% of the population), were noted by Maroto as driving elements for the comeback.

She had stated that foreign tourism would be half of what it was pre-pandemic in 2021, up from less than 20% in 2020.

Unlike Italy and France, Spain does not need proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter restaurants or pubs, allowing unvaccinated travelers to relax and enjoy their vacation without having to worry about taking tests every few days.

Nevertheless, total arrivals were still far below the 8.8 million who came to Spain in September of 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Tourists spent a total of 5.04 billion euros ($5.84 billion)in the country, soaring from the 964 million euros of the previous year but a long way off the 9.62 billion euros spent in September 2020.

Germans made up the largest group of foreign travelers, followed by Britons and French people, the data showed.