The number of foreign tourists arriving at short-stay accommodations in Spain has experienced significant fluctuations over the past years. From 2013 to 2019, there was a steady increase in arrivals, peaking in 2017 with a sharp rise of 13.92%. However, the trend reversed in 2018 with a slight decline, which stabilized in 2019. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a dramatic drop of 79.02% in arrivals. A recovery was observed in 2021 and 2022 with substantial year-on-year increases of 102.77% and 158.69% respectively. Despite this rebound, 2023 saw a decline of 33.94%, and the forecast for the coming years suggests a gradual decline with a forecasted 5-year CAGR of -1.89%.
Current scenarios indicate that arrivals stood at 6.5167 million in 2023. The projections from 2024 to 2028 indicate a steady decline, reflecting a forecasted 9.09% reduction by 2028. This signifies a shifting trend and potential challenges for the tourism sector in Spain.
Future trends to watch for include the possible impacts of geopolitical tensions, changes in travel regulations, and emerging markets in alternative destinations. Additionally, evolving consumer preferences towards sustainable tourism and technological advancements in travel solutions may significantly influence the volume of foreign tourist arrivals in the coming years.
