Spain targets 100 million foreign visitors as Italy moves police into crowded Dolomites

Spain's tourism ministry says the country could welcome 100 million foreign visitors this year, up from a record 96.8 million in 2023. Minister Jordi Hereu noted that the first five months already saw a 5 % rise in arrivals and tourist spending reached €50.257 billion, with summer forecasts of €64 billion. He attributed the growth to factors such as uncertainty in the Middle East and the upcoming total solar eclipse, which is expected to boost visits to interior regions.

In Italy, the Dolomites region recorded more than 1.1 million visitors in 2025, an 11 % increase over the previous year. Social‑media‑driven tourism has led to waste, illegal camping and congestion on popular trails. Authorities in Cortina d’Ampezzo have called in provincial police to patrol crowded areas, and a local farmer has even installed a toll for hikers. The measures aim to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the protection of the environment and residents' quality of life.