Spain welcomes record 21.8 million summer vistors as overtourism sparks protests
A record number of tourists travelled to Spain in summer 2024 amid protests from residents who blame tourists for degrading living conditions. Although the high figures were a boon for the economy, Spain should "transform" its model for the tourism sector the tourism minister said.
Spain welcomed a record 21.8 million international visitors this summer, official data showed on Wednesday, an influx of tourism that has triggered some protests in the country.
That figure was a 7.3 percent rise on the summer of 2023, the national statistics institute (INE) said.
Spain, the world's second most popular tourist destination after France, received 10.9 million visitors in July and as many again in August, INE said.
The economic impact from tourism is "a great success for the well-being, social cohesion, and economic development of Spain", Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu said at an event organised by the tourism promotion agency Turespana in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands.
In a nod to people unhappy with excess tourism, Hereu said Spain must "transform" its model for the sector, which needs to be diversified and decentralised.
The deluge of tourists has not pleased all Spaniards, with protesters making their feelings known in recent months, notably in Barcelona, Malaga in Andalusia, the Balearic Islands and the Canaries.
Several regions have reacted, with Barcelona saying it would end apartment rentals to tourists by 2029.
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