Tourists are increasingly willing to choose Spain. According to the National Institute of Statistics, from January to November 2024, a record number of 88.5 million foreign tourists visited Spain. This is more than in all of 2023.
The most guests came in 2024 to Spain from Great Britain, France and German. The most frequently visited countries were Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. Tourists spent a total of almost EUR 120 billion in Spain.
The tourism sector is responsible for over 12%. Spain's GDPShutterstock
Spain is seeing an increase in tourist interest
Throughout 2023, which was a record year so far, 85.7 million foreign guests were recorded.
As reported by Spanish media, the tourism sector announced already in the summer that it expects a record 95 million foreign visitors in 2024, even despite growing protests against mass tourism.
Spain. Protests against mass tourismPAP/EPA/MARIA ALONSO
However, in many regions, residents are increasingly tired of overtourism and the behavior of some visitors. In June, thousands of people marched through the streets of Málaga to protest against this phenomenon. “Give us back our city!”, “Tourism or life!”, “You will not sell Malaga!” – chanted the protest participants. The city authorities have issued a guide for tourists arriving there.
Residents of Malaga take part in a protest against mass tourism (photo from June 2024)PAP/EPA/MARIA ALONSO
Spain is a popular tourist destination
So far, the record year in terms of the number of tourists was 2019, the last year before the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic. At that time, 83.5 million foreigners spent their holidays in Spain.
The tourism sector is responsible for over 12%. GDP Spain, providing work to over 2.5 million people, which is 11.6 percent. total employment. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that the share of this sector in the development of the Spanish economy will grow – in 2034 it may account for up to 17%. GDP.
Main photo source: Tupungato/Shutterstock