Beyond the beach: Spain pushes offbeat regions as tourist numbers nudge 100m

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Spain's tourism minister announced initiatives to promote less frequented regions to mitigate the effects of overtourism and climate concerns. The country anticipates potentially reaching 100 million foreign visitors this year, aiming to diversify tourist destinations beyond traditional sun and beach areas.

Exclusive: Tourism minister says another likely record year of visitor growth is not a worry amid move to welcome tourists out of season and market less frequented areas Spain is redoubling its efforts to push its tourist appeal beyond the familiar “sun and sand and coast” model as it prepares for another record-breaking year in which the number of foreign visitors could reach 100 million for the first time, the country’s tourism minister has said. Speaking to the Guardian, Jordi Hereu rejected suggestions that Spain was now saturated with tourists but said it had become clear that the “old formulas no longer work”, especially amid growing concerns about overtourism and the effects of the climate emergency. Continue reading...