Spain saw a record influx of 21.8 million international visitors this summer, according to official data released on Wednesday. This surge in tourism, which represents a 7.3 percent increase compared to the summer of 2023, has sparked some protests within the country. The National Statistics Institute (INE) reported that Spain, the world's second most popular tourist destination after France, welcomed 10.9 million visitors in July and an equal number in August.
Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu hailed the economic impact of tourism as "a great success for the well-being, social cohesion, and economic development of Spain" during an event organized by the tourism promotion agency Turespana in Tenerife, Canary Islands. However, acknowledging the discontent among locals, Hereu emphasized the need to "transform" the tourism model, making it more diversified and decentralized.
The influx of tourists has not been universally welcomed. Protests have been particularly vocal in Barcelona, Malaga, the Balearic Islands, and the Canaries, with complaints focusing on infrastructure strain, pollution, and noise. Rising rental prices due to short-term tourist rentals have also fueled discontent. In response, Barcelona has announced plans to end apartment rentals to tourists by 2029. The socialist government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is also working on a register for tourist and seasonal lodgings.
British tourists were the most common visitors to Spain this summer, with 4.17 million UK nationals traveling there. France followed with 3.75 million visitors, Germany with 2.49 million, and Italy with 1.35 million. There was also a 13 percent increase in US tourists, totaling 850,000. Spain hosted a total of 64.8 million tourists in the first eight months of the year, another record according to INE. Catalonia, which includes Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, and the Canaries, were the most popular destinations.
With more visitors came increased revenue; tourism earnings rose by 17.6 percent over the eight-month period to 86.7 billion euros ($95.9 billion), averaging 187 euros per tourist per day. Exceltur, an organization comprising Spain's major tourism groups, forecasts 90 million tourists for 2024, surpassing last year's record of 85.1 million. Tourism revenue is expected to exceed 200 billion euros, boosting the sector's contribution to the Spanish economy to 13.2 percent.
