In 2020, tourism in Spain collapsed as a result of Covid-19. Nineteen million foreign tourists arrived in Spain, 77% less than in 2019 when the sector had been registering several years of record-breaking levels.
In 2020, the leading source market for tourism to Spain was France with 3.9 million tourists, compared to 3.2 million from UK, the country which has traditionally accounted for the highest percentage of tourists.
The decrease in overnight stays was mainly concentrated in hotels and holiday dwellings.
The expenditure of international tourism fell 78.6% to €19 billion, with a significant impact on the economy.
Exceltur, in its October scenario revision, forecast losses of €106 billion (-68.9% compared to 2019) for tourism activity in Spain for 2020.