Spain expects to attract 100 million international visitors this year, but in light of concerns about mass tourism, the country is reviewing how to manage its growth.
Spain's 2030 Tourism Program
Carlos Ruiz Gonzalez, director of the Spain Tourism Office in the Gulf region, outlined the country's 2030 tourism program in a presentation at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. The program emphasizes people and sustainability in the next phase of tourism growth, aiming to focus on residents and less-visited destinations.
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This program has been developed with input from over 200 tourism experts, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations, addressing the very different challenges faced by various destinations in Spain. These challenges range from mature beach resorts and heavily visited cities like Barcelona to rural and inland areas seeking to attract more tourists.
Sustainable Tourism Challenges
Spain, the second most visited country in the world, is expected to welcome around 96.8 million international tourists by 2025. Tourism accounts for 12.6 percent of Spain's GDP and supports about three million jobs. With the increasing number of visitors in 2026, the government is increasingly focused on managing growth and reducing pressure on crowded destinations.
Ruiz Gonzalez stated, "In recent years, our government has been thinking about what we need to do to manage this success. Some destinations are being destroyed due to their success." He also added that this is a comprehensive government policy and all ministries and sectors in Spain need to coordinate.
The Spanish tourism strategy is designed in three phases and will be implemented through a series of two-year operational programs. The main challenges of this program include climate change, employment, housing pressures, overcrowding, and regional depopulation. Residents are recognized as a "key group" in this strategy and must be part of the tourism system.
According to Ruiz Gonzalez, "We want residents to be part of the system as well. Tourists go where people live, so people need to be able to live and be able to buy a house or apartment."
This strategy will also focus on spreading visitors across Spain and encouraging slower travel and longer stays.
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