tourist invasion

 

ARTS AND IDEAS

Samuel Aranda for The New York Times

Spain’s British tourist invasion

Tourism accounts for more than 10 percent of Spain’s annual gross domestic product, the European Commission reports, and the United Kingdom provides the largest chunk of that windfall. More than 18 million British people — about one-quarter of the total population — visited Spain in 2019, according to U.K. government statistics.

The annual swarm is both a financial boon and a curse. Young British travelers are notorious for drinking a lot and spending little (although many tipple in moderation and spend plenty). Local reaction to the hard-partying herd in tourist towns like Magaluf, on the Spanish island Mallorca, is split between come hithers (from hotel and bar owners) and go yons (from residents).

Spanish officials broach the topic of low-end British tourism diplomatically, aware that if young people abandon places like Magaluf, the economic consequences would be severe. August 21, 2023 By Jonathan Wolfe Good morning. We’re covering the donation of F-16s to Ukraine and the crash of Russia’s moon lander. Plus: Coping with the summer British tourist invasion in Spain.