Spain welcomed a record number of more than 5 million international tourists in January 2025. This represents a 6% increase compared to the same month in 2024, according to the latest figures from Spain’s statistics office INE and Frontur. Despite the ongoing protests in Spain against the negative effects of mass tourism, the number of visitors continues to grow and is expected to reach a record 100 million tourists by 2025. That is 3 million more than the last record of 97 million in 2019.

Increase in visitors despite criticism

The increase in tourists is partly thanks to improved air connections and a pick-up in the travel sector. Popular destinations such as the Canary Islands, Catalonia, Andalusia and Madrid saw particularly strong growth. The Canary Islands received the most travellers with 1,360,592 visitors, followed by Catalonia (1,076,814) and the Madrid region (704,362). And this is exactly where the stumbling block lies, as the rest of the country attracts considerably fewer tourists.

Average spending per tourist rose by almost 3% to €1,408 per trip, and daily spending increased by 4% to €165 per day. The average length of stay remained almost the same at 8.6 days.

Protests in Spain against mass tourism continue

Despite these positive economic figures, in 2024 there were ongoing protests in Spain against the impact of mass tourism. In different parts of the country, from the Canary Islands to Barcelona and Majorca, residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with rising house prices, pressure on public facilities and the decline in local liveability.

In Tenerife, six activists held a 20-day hunger strike to draw attention to the impact of tourism. In Barcelona, thousands of protesters took to the streets with slogans such as ‘Tourists go home’ and ‘Barcelona is not for sale’. The city’s mayor announced tighter regulation in response, including the banning of more than 10,000 tourist flats by 2028.

Action also took place in Mallorca, where demonstrators occupied the popular S’Arenal beach to protest against increasing tourist crowds. Despite a ban on Airbnb in Palma de Mallorca since 2018, the pressure on local residents remains high.

Challenges and future prospects

The Spanish government and local authorities face a challenge: maintaining economic growth through tourism while ensuring liveability for residents. In Madrid, efforts are being made to spread tourist flows by promoting lesser-known areas, while the Balearic Islands have set up a commission to combat illegal tourist rentals. Fines of up to €80,000 are imposed on illegal providers.

With an estimated 100 million foreign tourists by 2025, Spain faces the task of balancing economic benefits with growing discontent among locals. Investment in infrastructure, regulation of holiday rentals and digitalisation should help to better manage tourist flows and find sustainable solutions to the challenges of mass tourism.

Is Spain on your travel itinerary this year? Then visit other regions or check out these 8 tips to make your trip more sustainable.