Despite widely-reported protests and legal measures aimed at reducing the tourism headcount in Spain’s most popular destinations, the crowds keep on coming, with the country on track for a new record total this year.
With 42.5 million visitors recorded in the first six months, which do not include the heavy July and August numbers, the total is almost certain to top 85 million for the year, a number which would put it ahead of last year’s total. Last year was the first year the numbers exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
After France, Spain is the world’s second most visited country, and the concentration is heavily focused on popular beaches including in Mallorca and the Canary Islands. Among cities, Barcelona gets the greatest share and has seen the most protests.
The money that tourist spend is an important factor in Spain’s economy; in June alone, visitors spent €12.3 billion, up 17% from the previous year. Finding a balance between the income and the inconvenience is a difficult task for both national and local governments.
