Spain protesters and demonstrators who are fuming over overcrowding and an influx of British tourists have been handed a “defeat” – as the number of visitors skyrocketed by 18 per cent year-on-year in January to the start of this month (September).
Spain welcomed 53.4 million international visitors in the first seven months of 2024, marking a 12 per cent increase from the previous year. In July alone, 10.9 million tourists arrived, a 7.3 per cent increase compared to July 2023.
Minister for Industry and Tourism Jordi Hereu highlighted the importance of these figures, stating: “The significant increase in spending by international [travelers] visiting our country confirms that tourism, thanks to the efforts and work of everyone, continues to drive the country’s economy, generating wealth and employment in the sector.”
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In July, the average spending per traveler rose to €1,432, up 4.3 per cent from last year. Daily spending per tourist increased to €195, reflecting a 2.1% rise compared to the previous year. Tourists stayed an average of four to seven nights, the data shows.
The United Kingdom remains Spain’s top source of tourists, with two million visitors in July, up 2.5 per cent from 2023.In July, the Balearic Islands topped the list as the most popular destination, drawing 23.4 per cent of all visitors.
The Balearic Islands and Canary Islands tied for second, each receiving 8.7 million tourists. The figures have sparked hopes Spain is receiving a better quality of tourist, who is willing to spend more, after weeks and months of angry protests.
From Málaga to Mallorca and Gran Canaria to Granada, organisers have stressed that the protests are not against tourism, per se, but rather a call for a more balanced approach. The protests, which are taking place under the banner “Canarias tiene un límite” – The Canaries have a limit – are backed by environmental groups including Greenpeace, WWF, Ecologists in Action, Friends of the Earth and SEO/Birdlife.
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