Tourism Numbers Before COVID-19: Steady Growth
From 2000 to 2019, Spain saw a steady increase in the number of international visitors. In 2019, the country welcomed a record-breaking 12.02 million tourists, the highest number recorded up until that point. The average annual growth rate during this period was about 3.04%, a sign that Spain’s tourism industry was flourishing.
However, this positive trend was abruptly interrupted by the global pandemic in 2020.
The Impact of COVID-19
In 2020, due to travel restrictions and lockdowns, international tourism to Spain dropped drastically. Only about 2.7 million visitors arrived in Spain that year, which was a dramatic decline compared to previous years. In 2021, the numbers began to slowly climb back up, reaching 4.25 million tourists, as restrictions were eased and people began to travel again.
It wasn’t until 2023 that Spain’s tourist numbers finally caught up with the record set in 2019, reaching 12.2 million visitors. Despite the sharp drop in 2020 and the slower recovery in 2021 and 2022, the tourism industry in Spain is back on track.
Will the Growth Continue?
As we look toward the future, particularly with the 2024 estimate of 13.54 million tourists, which is an increase of the question arises: Will this growth continue?
While Spain’s tourism sector is recovering, some external factors will continue to influence its growth trajectory in the coming years. The affordability of travel, geopolitical developments, and the broader economic climate will all play crucial roles in determining whether Spain can sustain its tourism numbers or face challenges in the near future.
