# Spanish tourism sector growth and trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-tourism-sector-growth-and-trends > Updated: 2026-08-24T06:07:00.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3. Spain is experiencing significant growth in its tourism sector. Data from 2025 indicates that Spanish residents have entered the global top 10 for outbound tourism expenditure, reaching $39.3 billion. This 20% annual increase represents the fastest growth rate among European Union nations. Regarding inbound travel, a joint study by Deloitte and Google titled ‘NextGen Travellers and Destinations: Our Vision on the Tourism Industry Transformation’ predicts that Spain may overtake France as the world’s most visited country by 2040. The forecast suggests Spain could host approximately 110 million international tourists annually, compared to an estimated 105 million for France. While France welcomed 102 million visitors in 2025, Spain followed closely with 96.8 million, generating 134.7 billion euro in revenue. This 2025 figure for Spain represented a 3.2% increase from the previous year. Globally, international travel is expected to reach 2.4 billion trips annually by 2040, with Europe projected to remain the dominant region, accounting for roughly 38 percent of global movement. The report also anticipates shifts in the top five destinations, predicting Mexico will enter the ranking and displace Italy. While the tourism boom provides economic benefits, it has triggered concerns regarding overtourism. In response, local authorities are implementing mitigation measures, such as Barcelona’s plan to phase out short-term tourist apartments by 2028 and stricter regulations in the Balearic Islands regarding alcohol consumption and party boats. To maintain competitiveness against rising leaders like Spain, France is looking toward lesser-known destinations, such as the Perche region and La Charité-sur-Loire, to attract travelers seeking cultural heritage and authentic experiences away from mass tourism hubs. ## Claims - A joint study by Deloitte and Google predicts Spain will become the world's most visited country by 2040. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Spain is projected to host 110 million tourists annually by 2040. (corroborated by 3 sources) - France is projected to host approximately 105 million tourists annually by 2040. (corroborated by 3 sources) - France hosted 102 million international tourists in 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Spain welcomed 96.8 million international tourists in 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Global international tourist trips are expected to reach 2.4 billion by 2040. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Barcelona aims to end short-term tourist apartments by 2028. (single source) - The Balearic Islands have implemented stricter limits on alcohol consumption and party boats. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: Spain projected to overtake France in global tourism by 2040 A Deloitte and Google report predicts Spain could overtake France as the world's most visited country by 2040, with both nations expected to host over 100 million annual tourists. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-projected-to-overtake-france-as-worlds-top-tourist-destination-by-2040 ### 2026-08-21: Spain projected to become world's most visited country by 2040 A Deloitte and Google study predicts Spain will become the world's most visited country by 2040, surpassing France with an estimated 110 million annual tourists. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-projected-to-become-worlds-most-visited-country-by-2040 ### 2026-08-10: Spain enters global top 10 for outbound tourism spending Spain has entered the global top 10 for outbound tourism spending, reaching $39.3 billion in 2025 and overtaking Italy and South Korea. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-enters-global-top-10-for-outbound-tourism-spending --- Cite as: Spanish tourism sector growth and trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-tourism-sector-growth-and-trends