Spanish tourism is facing the worst crisis in history

Spanish tourism is facing the worst crisis in history

In 2020, less than 20 million foreign visitors came to Spain. Sales in this sector fell by more than 75 percent. The country has not experienced such poor results for at least 50 years.

Unprecedented collapse of demand

The crisis caused by the new coronavirus pandemic has hit the tourism industry hard. The numbers speak for themselves - sales fell by more than 75 percent and the number of foreign tourists, according to preliminary estimates, did not reach even 20 million. By comparison, in 2019, Spain was visited by 83.5 million tourists, who spent almost 92 billion euros. The impact of the pandemic on this important sector will also have an impact on the performance of the entire Spanish economy. It is expected to fall more than most of its European neighbors. Last year's collapse in demand in tourism is unprecedented. Unlike other sectors, it is forecast to have only a relatively weak recovery, as mobility between countries remains minimal. According to official records, more than half a century has passed since so few foreign visitors came to Spain. More specifically, in 1969 almost 21.7 million foreign tourists visited the country and in 1968 there were about 19.2 million. At best, the final figures for 2020 will be somewhere between the two figures, although according to other official figures from October 2020, only 17.8 million foreign tourists have visited Spain, which was the same number as in 1967. Last autumn, the blockade on stopping the new coronavirus has tightened again.