Data
Shows Spain Made €60 billion From Tourists Last Year
 |
| Spain broke all tourism records in Europe |
The difference is that Spain’s tourism numbers are growing,
while America’s are contracting following the election of President Donald
Trump. Not only is Spain’s tourism industry growing, but it’s growing at a rate
higher than any other leading destination.
The figures from the UNWTO show that the US received €173
billion from tourism in 2016, which makes it the clear winner. Spain came in
second, followed by Thailand and China for tourism revenue.
The UK – which came in third place in 2015 – dropped to
seventh. The country made €29 billion from tourism, which is the lowest figure
for some time. Experts believe that the Brexit – and the effects of the
decision – are to blame for this drastic drop.
An interesting figure is that of France, which came in fifth
place for tourism revenue in the world in 2016, even though UNTWO figures
suggest the country received the highest overall number of visitors. This would
suggest that people visiting France do so fleetingly; whether it’s because they
are passing through the country on their way to other neighbouring countries,
or just because they stay for a few days.
France topped the charts of overall visitor numbers thanks
to some 82.6 million visitors across 2016. The US came in second with 75.61
million tourists, followed by Spain with 75.56 million visitors.
What is interesting is how quickly change is happening and
the directions of the change. American tourism dropped 3% between 2015 and
2016, and continues to fall across 2017. France saw a 2% drop between 2015 and
2016, and it’s expected the fall will be greater this year following recent
terrorism threats.
Spain, however, saw an increase in visitor numbers of 10%
across 2016, and all the signs are there for an even stronger 2017; which could
leave Spain clinching the top spot by the end of the year.
