Spain predicted to surpass France as most visited European country

France with its quaint rural villages, stunning seaside towns and historically renowned cities makes it an obvious contender for the most visited country, but has it been surpassed?

2023 report

GlobalData released a report in 2023 announcing France was on track to become the most visited country by 2025, when 93.7 million international travellers were set to visit the country annually. 

However, this was seemingly short-lived when it was overtaken by another country set to attract even more tourists annually: Spain. 

NextGen report

In a report conducted by Google and Deloitte, entitled NextGen Travelers and Destinations, it showed Spain – currently in the second spot – was a strong competitor against France for the top spot. 

Forecasted to be welcoming 110 million tourists annually, Spain is predicted to surpass France (105 million) and the United States (100 million)

What Spain has to offer

Frankly, it’s hardly difficult to see why; averaging 300 days of sun per year, with sandy beaches and blue skies, affordable drinks with distinctive, delectable tapas, it’s hard to argue against Spain. 

Spain is a crockpot of cultures too, with a rich history of Moors and Christians, a yearly schedule full of fiestas and parties in cultural celebration and each province holding great pride in their community.

There is something for everyone across the Peninsula, and that is what attracts so many international tourists each year, with more and more choosing to set up camp and buy property in the country.

Tourism on the rise

This European country’s appeal is hardly new, especially for Brits looking for extra vitamin D, but the 110-million-visitor prediction would make an increase of over 24%.

This year, Spain was visited by 6.3 million international tourists in March alone, 21% more than the same month in 2023, according to the National Statistic Institute, also breaking its record for tourist spending, bringing in €8.65 billion with an increase of 29.7% compared to March of last year.

For now, though, France remains in the top position as the most-visited country in the world, but possibly not for long.