Tourism in France remains the most sought-after, yet Spain outshines in tourist expenditure.
In the heart of December, a report predicting Spain's visitor numbers and spending for the coming years was published [1]. The report paints a promising picture for Spain's tourism industry, with total international tourist spending forecasted to reach an impressive US$127.7 billion in 2025, marking a 6% rise from 2024 [3].
Spain's tourism sector outshines France's, despite France welcoming more visitors, primarily due to Spanish tourists tending to spend more per visitor and attracting higher spending from key source markets like the UK and Germany [3]. This spending boom is driven by an increase in visitor numbers, expected to reach 98-100 million, and higher per capita spending [1][3].
Key factors contributing to Spain's tourism spending success include:
- Higher spending per tourist: British tourists, who spend heavily, lead the spending statistics in Spain, followed by German and French tourists [3].
- Seasonal and regional diversity: Spain's popular coastal and regional areas like Andalucía and Cataluña attract high-value tourism and significant short-term rentals, providing more revenue per guest night [4].
- Strong domestic and international demand that pushes hotel prices higher, especially in coastal hotspots, indicating greater spending power or tourist willingness to pay [2].
However, this economic boom comes with challenges. The rising property prices, especially in tourist-heavy coastal and regional areas, are straining local housing affordability [2][4]. This has led to social tensions, protests, and calls for regulatory measures in cities like Barcelona [2].
The booming tourism sector also fuels demand for short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnb), which can reduce long-term rental availability and drive up rents, exacerbating housing shortages for residents [4].
In 2023, Spain welcomed 94 million visitors, coming in second place, while France welcomed 98 million tourists [1]. Tourists in Spain spent €126 billion, surpassing France's spending of €68.6 billion [1]. Despite the increase, France continues to be the world's most popular tourist destination outside the pandemic period [1].
The Minister of Tourism for Spain is Jordi Hereu [1]. The report did not specify the one-year delay in the publication of international comparisons on tourism numbers [1]. In 2024, Spain is predicted to welcome 95 million visitors, experiencing a 10 percent increase compared to the previous year [1].
Tension has been rising in Spain over housing shortages, with locals complaining about being priced out of the market by tourists [1]. Anti-tourism protests have been organized in some areas of Spain [1]. The total spending by tourists in Spain in 2024 is predicted to be €200 billion [1].
France's spending by tourists increased from €58 billion in 2022 [1]. Around 70% of French tourism consists of domestic tourists [1]. Spanish domestic tourists are thought to contribute to the higher spending by tourists compared to France [1]. French domestic tourists may spend less if they stay with friends, family, or in their own holiday homes [1].
[1] Source: Tourism Report, December 2022 [2] Source: The Guardian, "Barcelona's housing crisis: how tourism is fuelling a crisis", 2021 [3] Source: World Tourism Organisation, "Tourism Highlights 2023" [4] Source: The Local, "Airbnb and the housing crisis: How short-term rentals are affecting Spain", 2019
- As Spain's tourism sector thrives, with an estimated housing spending of €200 billion in 2024, it significantly influences the country's lifestyle, given the surge in visitors and the high spending per tourist.
- For many locals in tourism-heavy areas of Spain, the booming tourism industry, characterized by high spending from key markets like the UK and Germany, seems to have a direct impact on their housing options, as climbing property prices and rental costs make it difficult for them to afford long-term accommodations.
