Spain is set to welcome a record-breaking number of tourists in 2025, despite heavy protests against tourism in 2024.
Last year saw 94 million foreign tourists descend upon Spanish shores, marking a 10 per cent increase from 2023, according to Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu.
The surge in visitors has sparked growing tensions between locals and tourists in popular destinations across the country.
Barcelona witnessed significant protests throughout 2024, highlighting growing frustration among residents over tourism’s impact on their city.
Mass protests emerged across Barcelona last year
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In November, tens of thousands took to the streets to protest against soaring rental costs, which many locals blame on the millions of annual visitors.
Demonstrators carried signs reading: “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living” and “the people without homes uphold their rights”.
Protesters also brandished placards which said “enough,” whilst chanting “tourists go home.”
The city’s authorities have responded by pledging to eliminate all 10,000 of the so-called “tourist apartments” by 2028.
The Spanish government is actively working to address tourism management concerns, Hereu has announced.
Efforts are being made to distribute tourist numbers more evenly across the country, with new regulations being implemented on rental accommodation.
Hereu said: “We need to persevere in deconcentrating tourism, but the good thing is that this is happening.”
The minister highlighted that environmentally sustainable tourism is gaining momentum across Spain.
Tourists in Spain generated over £100 billion for the country last year
PA
Tourism continues to be a major economic driver for Spain, with foreign visitors spending £106billion during their stays in 2024 marking a 16 per cent increase from the previous year’s figures.
The upward trend is expected to continue into early 2025, with projected tourist spending of €36billion (£30billion) in the first four months.
Officials anticipate a nine per cent rise in visitor numbers during this period compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
The Bank of Spain raised concerns about the sustainability of tourism growth in a report last October.
Despite consecutive record-breaking tourism indicators, the bank noted that the sector’s growth rate was showing signs of deceleration.
The report from the bank highlighted specific challenges facing popular tourist destinations, including congestion, natural resource degradation and housing pressures.
In response to these challenges, the Bank of Spain has called for an assessment of whether tourism fees should be increased.
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