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Spanish tourism is doing well. Very good. This is clearly reflected by the INE, which in your last balance The sector leaves some hints that allow us to think of a record year in influx of foreign visitors. In August alone, it identified close to 10.9 million international tourists, 7.3% more than in 2023, and during the first eight months of the year it estimates that some 64.3 million of visitors from other countries, which is the highest mark since records began.
The figures look good, but they run into a problem: neighborhood protests that reflect that at least in certain areas of the country, the busiest, the population is beginning to be saturated. “Let’s change course, let’s put limits on tourism,” could be read not long ago on the posters of a demonstration supported by more than 12,000 people and which spread through the streets of Palma de Mallorca.
A record balance. When it comes to planning their vacations, more and more foreigners think of Spain. He latest report from the INE shows that during the first eight months of 2024 the country received just over 64.3 million international tourists, “its highest number” since there are statistical records, the observatory adds. In August alone there were 10.9 million, 7.3% more than last year, a year that already closed with a balance never seen before by the sector.
If we stick only to the summer campaign, things look good too. Waiting to know how the first weeks of September have gone, between July and August the INE counted 21.8 million of international tourists. The Newspaper has reviewed the historical record of the INE and has verified that it represents 4.2% more than during the same period in 2017, long before the health crisis and when the sector reached its best summer season. At least until now.
A question of visits… and euros. Whether the sector receives more or fewer foreign tourists or is more or less close to breaking its own record matters for a very simple reason. Tourism is money. And the INE also gives a good account of this. Its technicians have calculated that in August each international visitor spent, on average, 188 euros per day. Throughout your vacation that translates into 1,405 euros and in the sector as a whole it represents 15,363 million euros. Once again, these are positive figures, which reflect an increase of between 5 and 13% compared to 2023.
The data reflects that the increase in tourists has translated into an even greater increase in expenses. During the first eight months of 2024, the total spending of foreign visitors reached 83,471 million17.6% more, while the influx itself grew by 11.2%. The percentage is largely explained by tourism from neighboring countries, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, which have increased the budget for their holidays in Spain by more than 10%.
How is it distributed? This influx of tourists (and euros) is not equally noticeable throughout the country. The Balearic Islands are the region of Spain that received the most foreign visitors throughout August. And also the one where they spent the most money. The archipelago added 2.4 million of international tourists, 22.4% of the total, who left 3,560 million euros9.1% more than the previous year. There are no surprises in the list of the most successful regions in the market. They are followed by Catalonia, Andalusia, the Valencian Community and the Canary Islands, both in attendance and business.
Is there more data? Yes. The INE publishes some extra figures that help to understand how the sector is progressing in general, not only with regard to foreign tourism. For example, during the second quarter he noted a decrease of 8.3% in the trips made within Spain by the Spaniards themselves, who have nevertheless increased their trips abroad. In total, throughout August they stayed in the country’s “hospitality establishments” 13.6 million travelers2.4% more than a year ago and the best balance since at least 1999.
Between records and protests. These are good figures for a destination, Spain, with good prospects on the international tourist map. A few months ago Google and Deloitte presented a report which concludes that in 2040 it will be the country with the largest influx of tourists on the planet, ahead of France or the United States.
Specifically, he speaks of 110 million foreign travelers in Spain, several million more than any of the other two destinations in the “TOP3”. The problem is that not everyone views this scenario with enthusiasm. Especially in large destinations, such as Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca or the Canary Islandsneighborhood marches have already been organized to protest against the effects of mass tourism.
“Let’s change course”. That was one of the proclamations that could be read in July in one of the protests organized against the uncontrolled growth of tourism. The march in question was held in Palma, brought together around 12,000 people according to the National Police – the organizers maintain that the attendance was much higher, 50,000 people – and demanded “putting limits on tourism.”
It was not the only mobilization of this type organized in Spain. In May Another similar march had already been held in the Balearic Islands and similar initiatives or signs of rejection of mass tourism have taken place in other regions, from Barcelona to the Canary Islands to Madrid, Valencia, Seville, Santiago either Cantabriawhere a project that promises to turn it into “the Ibiza of the north” mobilized thousands of people.
And why are they protesting? There may be differences from one case to another, but in general residents cry out against the saturation of cities, the impact of mass tourism on the environment and its effect on a particularly sensitive area: the housing. More and more cities are embarking on stopping the proliferation of tourist apartments in an attempt to avoid the increase in price of rents.
To a greater or lesser extent, the City Councils of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Santiago de Compostela…And the list goes on and on. “People are fed up with an economic model that does not take into account the problems that tourism causes for residents,” they cried during the Mallorca march.
Beyond Spain. The challenge is by no means exclusive to Spain. In full flow recovery international tourist market after the pandemic stopped, more and more large destinations are deciding to curb the effects and costs of overcrowding. In Japan they have started charging for the ascent of Fuji and restrict the passage to the geisha quarter in Kyoto, Seoul they want to avoid the collapse of the historic center, in Venice they have released a new tourist tax, bali either New Zealand has skyrocketed its tourist rate, Italy threatens to do so and Amsterdam has created a extensive package of measures against the tourist boom. And, again, the list grows.
Images | Tommie Hansen (Flickr) and Eduardo Pitt (Flickr)
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