European destination set to be the most visited country in the world by 2040 (Image: Getty)
France is a stunning country with plenty of cities, towns, and villages, suitable for any kind of traveller – but it could soon be knocked from its spot as the most visited country in the world.
According to a new study conducted by Google and Deloitte, the country is set to be overtaken by its European neighbour, Spain.
The researchers predict that by 2040, Spain will welcome a staggering 110 million, while France will be bumped down to the second spot with 105 million.
This would be an increase of 24% in tourists arriving in Spain, with 84 million people heading to the country in 2023, which was already a record-breaking number of foreign visitors.
And in March 2024, Spain was visited by 6.3 million international tourists, an increase of 21% from the same month a year earlier.
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Barcelona is Spain’s most visited city (Image: Getty)
Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain. Despite an increase in anti-tourism protests, its popularity has only increased, with over 11.71 million foreign tourists visiting the city in 2024 alone.
One must-visit site in the city is the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, a stunning church that has been under construction since 19 March 1882. Another highlight of the city is Park Güell, designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí and considered a ‘gem of modernism’.
Spain’s capital city, Madrid, is another popular tourist destination, with 94 million foreign visitors in 2024. Popular tourist attractions include the Royal Palace of Madrid, the stunning Parque del Retiro, and numerous galleries and museums.
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Tenerife is the most popular of the Canary Islands (Image: Getty)
Other popular cities for tourists include Seville, San Sebastian, and Granada.
Spain is also home to the Balearic and the Canary Islands, which have also increased in popularity in recent years, with 15.3 million tourists visiting the Balearics and nearly 18 million making it the Canaries in 2024.
Majorca is the most popular of the Balearic islands, being a great destination for families, couples, and people who like to party, while Tenerife is the most popular Canary island and is another that is suitable for all types of holidaymakers.