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In the initial half of 2024, Spain experienced a robust influx of international tourists, with figures escalating by 13%, according to recent statistics from the country’s National Statistics Institute (INE). This surge saw 42.5 million visitors gracing Spanish shores by June, with the month itself witnessing a 12% increase to 9 million tourists as the peak travel season commenced.
This uptick positions Spain on a trajectory to surpass its previous record of 85 million tourists set last year, a milestone that had already exceeded pre-COVID visitation numbers. Such growth underscores Spain’s status as a global tourism leader, second only to France.
However, the expanding tourism sector has sparked concerns among residents of Spain’s most frequented destinations like Mallorca, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands. Issues such as rising housing costs have fueled local discontent, leading to protests. Notably, in early July, Barcelona saw anti-tourism activists engaging in high-profile demonstrations, including an incident where water pistols were aimed at tourists, accompanied by chants of “tourists go home.”
Financially, tourists contributed significantly to Spain’s economy, with a reported 12.3 billion euros spent in June alone, marking a 17% increase from the previous year. This economic boost, however, brings to light the delicate balance the government faces in managing the benefits of tourism with the needs and well-being of local communities.
The shifting preferences of tourists are also evident, with a 30% increase in those opting for rented apartments over traditional hotel stays, which saw an 11% rise. This trend has been partly attributed to the popularity of holiday rental platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, which have also been implicated in the housing affordability issues troubling locals.
As Spain navigates this complex landscape, the challenge remains for policymakers to foster a tourism industry that supports economic prosperity while ensuring the sustainability of local communities.
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