Spain predicted to overtake France as world’s most visited country by 2040
Spain is forecast to replace France as the world’s most visited country by 2040, with international arrivals expected to reach around 110 million a year, according to a major new study examining the future of global tourism. Research by Deloitte and Google predicts that Spain will move ahead of its... The post Spain predicted to overtake France as world’s most visited country by 2040 appeared…
By 2040, Spain is projected to surpass France as the world's most-visited country, according to a Deloitte and Google study on the future of global tourism. International arrivals to Spain are expected to reach around 110 million annually, while France will see approximately 105 million visits. France currently leads with 102 million visitors in 2025, while Spain follows closely with 96.8 million.
The study predicts substantial global growth in tourism, with international trips expected to reach 2.4 billion by 2040. Europe, particularly Spain, is forecast to attract a significant share of this increase, while Asia-Pacific is expected to record the second-largest growth. Other emerging destinations, such as Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates, could also enter the global top 15 by 2040.
Spain's increasing tourism revenue, reaching €134.7 billion in 2025, highlights the industry's economic importance. However, the study also raises concerns about the potential social and environmental impacts of mass tourism, particularly in popular destinations like Barcelona and the Balearic Islands. Spain's diverse tourism offerings and extensive infrastructure could help alleviate some of these pressures.
Written by urgent.news from Spain in English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
