Spain's tourism boom: Can it overtake France as Europe's top destination?
With record tourism and strong investment, Spain has become one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies, expanding by 3.2% in 2024
Spain’s GDP grew by 3.2% in 2024, far outpacing the Eurozone average of just 0.7%. In fact, Spain accounted for 40% of all the economic growth in the Eurozone last year, meaning that nearly half of the region’s total expansion came from Spain alone. This puts it second only to France in economic performance, well ahead of Germany and Italy, whose economies have struggled to regain momentum.A key driver of Spain’s recovery has, of course, been tourism, which has rebounded to record levels after the Covid-19 pandemic brought the industry to a standstill. In 2024, the country welcomed an all-time high of 94 million international visitors, making it the world’s second most-visited destination, just behind France’s 100 million. This surge in tourism has not only boosted local businesses but also restored confidence in the industry.
“There was a moment during Covid when I thought, ‘Maybe tourism will never, ever be like it was before,’ ” says Elena Mirón, a local guide, from Madrid. “But now things are very good, and I feel this year is going to be a good year, like 2023 and 2024. I’m happy because I can live off this job I love.”
While tourism has been vital to Spain’s resurgence, it is not the only factor behind its success. Business Minister Carlos Cuerpo credits the country’s “balanced model” for ensuring sustainable growth, pointing to investments in financial services, technology and infrastructure as key contributors. He notes that Spain has not only recovered from the economic shock of the pandemic – when GDP shrank by 11% in a single year – but has also modernised its economy to strengthen long-term prospects.
“We are emerging from Covid without scars, and by transforming our economy, we are lifting our potential for future growth,” Cuerpo explains.
Despite its achievements, Spain still faces challenges, including persistently high unemployment and a heavy reliance on tourism, making it vulnerable to global downturns. However, with strong growth, record-breaking visitor numbers and a diversified economy, Spain’s resurgence is proving to be more than just a temporary rebound and currently shows no signs of slowing down.
Image: Pixabay/Pexels
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