(+34) 913 497 100 | Home Industries Tourism and Leisure Tourism and Leisure Spain, a world leader in tourism Spain leads the world in tourism. Since 2015 it has placed first on the World Economic Forum (WEF) podium, which awards the most competitive countries in the tourism industry from among 140 economies. Spain 1º /140 Travel&Tourism Competitiveness Index, 2019 key Indicators Source :World Tourism Organisation(UNWTO) and World Travel&Tourism Council(WTTC). International tourists arrivals 81,868,500 International tourism inbound receipts US $ 68,114.1 millones Average receipts per arrival US $ 832.0 T&T Industry GDP (% of total) US $ 78,464.0 millones (5.4%) T&T Industry Share (% GDP) 5.4 T&T Employment (% of total) 958.100 jobs (5.0%) T&T Industry Share of Employment (% total employment) 5.0 Since 2017 it has broken the record in number of visitors: thanks to the more than 83 million tourists arriving in Spain, every year it is recognized as the second most visited country in the world, after France. The United States and China follow. Spain's success in the tourism industry is due especially to its rich cultural and natural attractions, but also to its exceptional infrastructures, the quality of its transportation and hotel density. These are the three key points that the WEF considers essential to having a competitive advantage over other countries in tourism. The tourism industry is an important engine of the Spanish economy and employment (2.3 million jobs). The strong public policies backing the industry, with public-private collaboration, and a clear orientation towards a sustainable and quality tourism model, ensure that about half of the tourism industry’s internal expenses are met by international visitors (tourists spend around 90 billion euros). Catalonia, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Andalusia and the Community of Valencia are the Spanish regions that welcome the most tourists. Belén Galván PROJECT MANAGER Contact us Our advisers will inform and support you in setting up your business CONTACT Discover the RDI Ecosystem IN SPAIN FIND OUT MORE Why invest in the tourism and leisure industry in Spain? Spain upholds its position year after year in competitiveness and demonstrates that this industry offers great investment opportunities. World leader in the industry. Second country in the world by number of visitors (after France) According to the World Economic Forum, Spain leads the Travel + Tourism Competitiveness Index Third country in the world in UNESCO World Heritage Sites (48 sites). Historic cities, outstanding monuments and museums. With 49 Natural Areas and Natural Spaces, UNESCO declares Spain to be the country with the highest number of biosphere reserves in the world, followed by the United States, Russia and China. More than 300 days of sun a year and over 2,000 km of green slopes; various ski facilities; rural activities; wellness. Spain is distinguished for the number of its beaches awarded the Blue Flag eco-label, compared to other countries like Greece and Turkey. The exceptional quality and variety of Spanish gastronomy is world renowned Spain is one of the safest countries on Earth. According to the Global Peace Index, it is one of the 25 safest countries in the world. It has an outstanding and modern public health system with very high standards. Infrastructures. High-level land, rail and air connectivity, and second only to Korea in digital infrastructure. What are the best investment opportunities? Traveltech Cultural heritage tourism, health tourism and gastronomic tourism MICE Tourism Find your Aid and Incentive Interactive search engine for national and regional financial aid and incentives for your investment project. FIND OUT MORE Success stories See all success stories 23 July 2021 Ryanair Susana Brito Ryanair Sales and Marketing Manager for Spain and Portugal For the past two decades, Ryanair has been a crucial player in the Spanish tourism industry, connecting ... A pioneer in introducing new Spanish destinations to travellers, it is the number one airline in Spain, carrying 50 million passengers ... Read more 01 July 2014 Anytime Fitness The Anytime Fitness chain plans to open 200 clubs Spain by 2020 Anytime Fitness is a US gym franchise which currently has some 2,300 fitness centres around the world, of which 1,600 are in the ... Read more Publications 19|07|2021 Spain for Tourism and Leisure Industry (361,79 KB) News See all 26 NOVEMBER 2021 ICEX Launches INNOVA Invest, a Programme Designed to Help Foreign Companies Invest in R&D in Spain Read more 18 OCTOBER 2021 ICEX-Invest in Spain allocates three million euros to attract innovative projects Read more 06 OCTOBER 2021 ICEX-Invest in Spain and Garrigues launch 2021 Business Guide in Spain Read more Agenda See all Our brands: Invest in Spain About Us Global Network Regions Innovation Startups Sustainability LATAM Desk China Desk Publications Events What's on Why Spain Economy Infrastructures Talent Taxation Quality of Life Industries Aerospace Agri-food Audiovisual Automotive and mobility Chemical industry ICT Life Sciences Logistics and transport Renewable Energy Tourism and Leisure Doing Business Company set up Taxes Labour market Aids and incentives Visas Intellectual property Living in Spain We help you Innova Invest Smart Technology Fund Investors Network Investor Services Rising Up in Spain Social Networks European Regional Development Fund A way to make Europe All rights reserved. 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