With its sandy beaches, delicious cuisine, and warm climate, Spain consistently ranks among the top holiday destinations in Europe.
Spain is expected to break its record for foreign tourists this year, with a 13% increase in visitors during the first half of 2024.
The country, already the world’s second most visited after France, is likely to surpass last year’s peak of 85 million tourists.
According to Reuters, Spain welcomed 42.5 million international visitors in the first six months of 2024.
In June alone, 9 million tourists arrived, marking a 12% increase from the previous year.
This surge suggests that 2024 could set a new record for tourism in Spain, continuing the country’s strong recovery after the pandemic.
Economic Benefits vs. Local Discontent
Tourism is a major part of Spain’s economy, with tourists spending 12.3 billion euros in June 2024 (around $13.3 billion).
This is 17% more than in the same month last year.
However, the rising number of tourists is causing concern in popular destinations like Mallorca, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands.
Many locals are worried about the impact of mass tourism on housing prices and their quality of life. Protests have been held, and in Barcelona, some anti-tourism activists even sprayed water pistols at foreign visitors while chanting "tourists, go home."
In response to these concerns, the Spanish government has introduced stricter rules on short-term and seasonal housing rentals. These new measures aim to address the problems caused by the surge in tourism while trying to balance the benefits with the needs of local communities.
