France maintains its position as the world's most visited tourist destination, yet Spain outshines it when it comes to tourist expenditure.
In 2023, Spain's tourism industry experienced a significant growth, with preliminary data indicating a 10% increase in visitor numbers compared to the previous year. This surge placed Spain second globally in terms of tourist arrivals, hosting 94 million visitors, according to the World Tourism Organisation.
Despite France attracting more visitors, Spain's tourists spent more, contributing to a total of €126 billion in tourism receipts. This higher spending is primarily due to longer stays and higher per-visitor expenditure, with tourists typically spending around eight nights in Spain and having a higher daily expenditure.
The tourism boom, particularly in Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal areas, has led to a surge in hotel and rental prices. Hotel rates have climbed by 23% over the last three years, with beachfront rentals increasing by over 20% since mid-2023. This escalation in prices has resulted in locals being increasingly priced out of coastal housing and tourist accommodation, forcing many Spanish residents to reduce or change their vacation habits.
There has been a documented decline in domestic tourists at popular coastal spots, down by 800,000, alongside a surge in foreign visitors (+1.94 million). This shift has created a challenging environment for residents, driving internal migration toward more affordable inland destinations and impacting local community dynamics.
The shortage of affordable housing and rising prices linked to mass tourism have become a pressing issue in Spain. Tension has been rising over housing shortages, with locals complaining about being priced out of the market by tourists. Anti-tourism protests have been organised in some areas, expressing concerns about the impact of tourism on local communities and the housing market.
Looking ahead, Spain's tourism body, Mesa del Turismo, has predicted that the country will welcome 95 million visitors in 2024. However, the potential impacts of these anti-tourism protests on Spain's tourism industry remain to be seen.
In France, a significant portion of tourism comes from domestic tourists, with the 'staycation' being a common practice. French families often take their summer holidays in a different part of France, choosing the beach or the mountains for the month of August. Despite the increase in spending by tourists in Spain, no current data is available for French visitor numbers and spending for the year 2024.
In summary, Spain's higher tourism spending relative to France results from longer stays and higher per-visitor expenditure. This influx of tourist spending has driven up housing and accommodation costs in Spain’s popular tourist zones, creating affordability challenges for local residents and reducing domestic tourism in these areas.
- The escalating prices in housing and accommodation in Spain's popular tourist zones, due to increased tourist spending, have compelled some residents to alter their lifestyle, such as reducing the duration of their vacation in coastal areas.
- The surge in tourist arrivals and spending in Spain has led to a significant shift in the travel preferences among French residents, with more families opting for 'staycations' within France instead of visiting Spain.
