How close is Spain to becoming the world’s most visited country?

Spain is on track to become the world's most visited country by 2040, according to a long-term tourism forecast by Google and Deloitte. With almost 97 million international visitors each year, the country is already packed with tourists during the holiday season. The forecast predicts that Spain could attract around 110 million international visitors annually by 2040, surpassing France, which currently welcomes about 102 million tourists annually.

This growth is expected to be driven by the expansion of the global middle class, as more people in emerging economies gain the means and opportunity to travel internationally. The top source markets for international travel are projected to include China, the United States, Germany, the UK, and Russia, along with countries like Pakistan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Mexico.

While Spain is not expected to dominate the tourism market alone, the forecast suggests that it could maintain its position as one of the world's top destinations, even as the share of international tourism held by the top five destinations declines from around 30% in 2019 to 20% by 2040. However, the forecast also highlights potential challenges for Spain and its residents, as more international visitors could strain resources and infrastructure in popular tourist destinations.