With its sun, its rich culture and its unique way of life, Spain has attracted many tourists in 2023. To the point that the country of Cervantes has regained its pre-Covid dynamics.
Last year it received a record 85.1 million international holidaymakers, 18.7% more than the previous year, according to figures from the National Institute of Statistics.
Good news coupled with very sharp increase in revenue (nearly 25% additional over one year, to 108.6 billion euros).
Enough to bring a smile back to Spain, where tourism contributes very significantly to its economic growth.
In this (almost) idyllic landscape, one territory has particularly stood out: Catalonia.
Paradoxically, this region, which has long claimed its independence from Spain, is one of its most beautiful showcases.
According to the latest official data, it was visited by 21.2 million tourists, including 18 million internationals.
It is ahead of the essential Balearic Islands, Canaries and Andalusia.
But how can we explain such success?
Some will say it loud and clear: the Costa Brava constitutes one of the main assets of Catalonia.
With its small seaside villages, including the charming Cadaqués, it is often seen as a cheaper alternative to the south-east of France, the victim of a sharp rise in prices in recent years.
Home region of genius artists
Park Güell is one of the must-see places to visit in Barcelona.
Maxim Morales - stock.adobe.com
And there's no question of lazing around on the beaches: with the Girona Pyrenees, the Costa Brava has become a wine tourism destination thanks to the Empordà wine region.
Not far away, Barcelona also continues to attract curious people from all over the world, who come to discover the open-mindedness and gentle way of life of the Catalan capital, not to mention its architectural riches including the famous Sagrada Família basilica.
In 2023, Gaudí's city, still as fashionable as ever, even recorded an increase in tourist spending.
They amount to 9.6 billion euros, or +14.7% compared to 2019. More than 12 million people came to discover the jewels of the county's city, the vast majority of them foreigners.
Figures that make it the leading city in Spain for the number of overnight stays by tourists from outside Spain.
And - it goes without saying - Catalonia has inspired many artists, like Picasso.
It also saw the birth of other geniuses, including Miró and Dalí.
Whether in Figueres, the birthplace of the surrealist artist, in Cadaquès or Púbol, where the castle he gave to his wife and muse Gala is located, the “Dalinian triangle” continues to perpetuate the memory of the eccentric painter .
And to electrify his followers.
The latter (especially French) could be even more numerous in the years to come, with the rise of rail links between France and Spain, provided by SNCF and Renfe, its Spanish counterpart.
The fact remains that this attraction for Catalan wealth is not without consequences for the region, which is suffering the full brunt of the torments of mass tourism.
In the summer, some villages are invaded by travelers, to the point that they far exceed the number of inhabitants.
The discovery experience can even be altered, as in Barcelona, where queues can dampen the enthusiasm of some people.
In some areas of the capital, it is not so rare to see banners hostile to vacationers.
A sign that this tourist popularity does not only make people happy in Catalonia.