The Iberian Peninsula is attracting more tourists every year, which is forecast to make Spain the most visited country in the world by 2040. Braintrust predicts that by then Spain will host 115 million foreign tourists a year, overtaking France, which has led the way for decades.
According to Turespaña, in the first ten months of 2023. Spain was visited by air by 91.5 million international visitors, an increase of 11.3% compared to last year. In October alone, the figure was 9.8 million (+8.5%). Most visitors came from the UK (20.36 million), Germany (12.83 million) and Italy (8.8 million). Poland ranked 11th with 2.2 million visitors. The most popular destinations were Madrid (21.5%), the Balearic Islands (20.3%), Catalonia (16.5%), but also Andalusia (14%) or Valencia (13.1%).
Why do tourists choose Spain?
Spain offers a diverse and unique experience, from the sunny beaches of the Costa del Sol and the Canary Islands to historic cities such as Seville and Barcelona. The country attracts both art lovers, thanks to the presence of famous museums, and adventurers, to whom the annual bull race through the streets of Pamplona is dedicated. Tourists can enjoy local events and attractions, Mediterranean cuisine and Spanish hospitality.
Spain is investing heavily in the development of its tourism infrastructure, ensuring a high level of comfort for travel and leisure. Many cities and regions are placing an emphasis on upgrading hotels, tourist attractions and transport, making the country more accessible to international visitors. Increased investment in tourism significantly supports the economy, being one of the key drivers of growth.
Currently, six regions: Catalonia, Valencia, Andalusia, Madrid, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands attract the majority of tourist traffic. However, forecasts indicate that the popularity of regions such as Galicia, Asturias, the Basque Country, Navarre and Castile will increase significantly in the coming years. Exploring lesser-known, authentic corners of Spain allows tourists to avoid the crowds while relieving the pressure on the most popular destinations.
Tourist challenges
According to Braintrust’s predictions, the average daily spending of tourists in Spain is set to increase significantly over the coming decades. By 2030, they will reach around €280 per day, and between 2035 and 2040 they could rise to as much as €340. This has a positive impact on the economy, but at the same time means that the infrastructure needs to be adapted to serve tourists with higher expectations and demands.
Already some regions, such as Barcelona, are struggling to cope with the problem of excessive tourist numbers. Overcrowding not only takes its toll on the local community, but also negatively affects the quality of tourism services, as well as the property market. Tourism also has environmental consequences. As the number of tourists increases, it will be necessary to implement greener solutions and invest in sustainable tourism to protect Spain’s precious natural resources.
With the anticipated increase in tourist numbers, it is necessary to promote less popular regions, helping to relieve the pressure on the most heavily trafficked destinations. This diversification of tourism will not only avoid overcrowding in the main destinations, but will also spread the economic benefits over a wider area of the country, having a positive impact on the development of local economies.
