There’s been good news and bad news for Spain’s tourism industry over the last week. On the one hand, tourism is thriving with a new record in sight; on the other hand protests against overtourism have increased in a number of Spanish cities.
Spain, the second-most-visited country after France, is on track to hit €202.65 billion in tourism revenues this year, the first time it’s gone over €200 billion, and the second record year in a row. Increases in air links, and price drops in high-speed rail driven by new competition have helped drive the rise, including a jump in domestic tourism.
The growing numbers have sparked a backlash from locals in tourism hotpots such as the Balearic and Canary Islands, Barcelona and Andalusia.” Jose Luis Zoreda, head of the Exceltur tourism industry association, told press that “Our concern is to continue to grow tourism in Spain so that it is sustainable and does not generate social revulsion.”
Image: PHeymont/TravelGumbo
