economy
Beyond the beach: Spain pushes offbeat regions as tourist numbers nudge 100m
Exclusive: Tourism minister says another likely record year of visitor growth is not a worry amid move to welcome tourists out of season and market less frequented areas
TL;DR
- Spain anticipates reaching 100 million foreign visitors, a record high, but focuses on sustainable and manageable 'calm growth'.
- The government is actively pushing tourism beyond the traditional "sun and sand" model to include inland regions, cultural experiences, and off-season travel.
- Overtourism concerns and climate change impacts necessitate a transformation of Spain's tourism strategy, moving away from old formulas.
- Decentralization, deseasonalization, and diversification of tourist offerings are key principles of the new 2030 tourism strategy.
- Advertising campaigns now highlight diverse attractions like churches, festivals, food, wine, and natural landscapes, even featuring rain and 'green Spain'.
- Investment from EU funds is supporting less-visited regions like Castilla-La Mancha and Galicia to develop their tourism potential.
- Diversification aims to combat depopulation by creating jobs in local towns and promoting year-round employment.
- The strategy also includes adapting to climate change effects through renewable energy, efficient water use, and waste management.