Tourism in Spain

Tourism in Spain is a major contributor to the national economic life, contributing about 11% of Spain's GDP. Ever since the 1960s and 1970s, the country has been a popular destination for summer holidays, especially with large numbers of tourists from the UK, France, Germany, Italy and the Benelux, among others. Accordingly, Spain's foreign tourist industry has grown into the second-biggest in the world.

In 2016 Spain was the third most visited country in the world, recording 75.3 million tourists which marked the fourth consecutive year of record-beating numbers.

Spain ranks first among 136 countries in the biannual Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index published by the World Economic Forum in 2017, matching the top position already achieved in 2015.

The World Tourism Organization has its headquarters in Madrid.

According to The Economist 2005 year list, Spain has the world's 10th highest quality of life.

Most visitors arriving to Spain on short term basis were from the following countries:

Spain's national airline is Iberia, but the country can be flown into on many international passenger airlines and charter airlines.

Tourists also arrive in Spain by road, rail and over the water. Spanish freeways interconnecting the touristic cities are also linked up with the French freeway network across the Pyrenees. The main train operator is RENFE, including AVE (Spanish high speed train) or Talgo intercity services. Spain's high-speed rail link is the largest in Europe and second largest in the world after China. There is also a number of high-end tourism oriented hotel-train services, such as Transcantábrico.

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Wikipedia