Fact Check: "Spain hosted a record 94 million international visitors in 2024, compared to 83 million in 2019."
What We Know
In 2024, Spain achieved a remarkable milestone by welcoming 94 million international visitors, marking the highest number of tourists recorded in the country since tourism statistics began. This figure represents a 10% increase from the previous year, which saw approximately 83.5 million visitors in 2023 (AP News). Notably, the number of visitors in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, was reported at 83 million (Wikipedia). The recovery of the tourism sector post-pandemic has been significant, with Spain ranking as the second most popular global destination, following France (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that Spain hosted 94 million international visitors in 2024, compared to 83 million in 2019, is supported by multiple credible sources. The AP News report confirms the record number of visitors in 2024 and provides context regarding the recovery of the tourism sector after the pandemic (AP News). Additionally, the Wikipedia entry on tourism in Spain corroborates these figures, indicating that the country has consistently broken tourism records in recent years, including the year 2024 (Wikipedia).
Other sources, such as Spain English and Travel and Tour World, also report similar statistics, emphasizing the significance of this achievement for Spain's economy, which relies heavily on tourism (Spain English, Travel and Tour World). The increase in visitors is attributed to various factors, including a rise in cultural tourism and an increase in travelers from diverse regions, including the United States and Latin America (AP News).
While the Sky News report mentions ongoing protests against mass tourism in Spain, it does not dispute the visitor statistics, instead highlighting the socio-economic impacts of increased tourism (Sky News). This indicates that while the tourism numbers are impressive, they also come with challenges that need to be addressed.
Conclusion
The claim that "Spain hosted a record 94 million international visitors in 2024, compared to 83 million in 2019" is True. The data from multiple reliable sources confirms the accuracy of these figures, reflecting a significant rebound in Spain's tourism industry following the pandemic.
Sources
- Spain sets a new record with 94 million international tourists last ...
- Tourism in Spain
- Anti-tourism protests break out in Spain, Italy and Portugal
- Spain hits new record with 94 million international visitors in 2024 ...
- Irate residents packing water pistols blame impact of mass ...
- SPAIN | 94 million international visitors and €108.7 billion tourism ...
- Spain reaches new heights with a record-breaking 94 million ...
- Spaniards packing water guns blame impact of mass ...
