Spain is facing an overtourism problem as its beaches are slowly disappearing due to climate change. Extreme weather conditions, including blazing heat, prolonged droughts, and heavy downpours, have made tourists reconsider visiting the Mediterranean country. Rising sea levels and winter storms are causing erosion on Spain’s beaches, with some facing unprecedented sand loss during storms. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and violence of storms in the future, leading to a shrinking of beaches and potential devastation for Spain’s tourism industry. The Spanish government has invested millions in replacing sand on degraded beaches, but it may not be sustainable in the long term, especially with conservative estimates predicting sea level rise of up to one meter by the end of the century.
Some regions in Spain are more vulnerable to coastal erosion than others, with Catalonia being particularly at risk. A 2017 report suggests that 164 km of the region’s coastline is at high or very high risk of erosion, with half of the beaches expected to deteriorate. In Barcelona, eight out of nine beaches are at high risk from sea storms, with some potentially disappearing entirely. Coastal erosion could have alarming consequences for Spanish tourism, which relies heavily on its beaches. The European Travel Commission reported a 10 percent decrease in tourist frequency in the Mediterranean in 2023 due to climate change and extreme weather events. In scenarios of 3°C or 4°C warming, tourist demand could fall by nearly 10 percent or more than 15 percent, respectively.
Despite the looming threat of climate change on Spain’s tourism industry, visitor numbers have not yet been impacted. Spain welcomed a record 53.4 million international tourists up to July 31, 2024, a 12 percent increase from the previous year. The tourism industry is a significant contributor to Spain’s economy, accounting for nearly 13 percent of both GDP and employment. However, increasing temperatures, characterized by tropical nights with temperatures above 20°C, are making the heat unbearable for tourists. Investments in urban design, such as adding more trees and water fountains in streets, may be necessary to address the loss of thermal comfort. Tourists are already starting to turn to cooler northern regions of Spain, which were previously less popular, as a response to the increasing heat in the southern areas.
The Spanish government has recognized the challenges posed by coastal erosion and is investing in projects to study the future of beaches. However, the practice of replacing sand is increasingly seen as a waste of money and harmful to the environment. With the threat of rising sea levels and more frequent maritime storms, the future of Spain’s beaches remains uncertain. Climate change is expected to have a significant impact on Spain’s tourism industry, which could face a decline in tourist demand in the coming years. The heat is becoming unbearable for tourists, forcing destinations to consider investments in urban design to improve thermal comfort. While Spain has seen a surge in tourism numbers, overtourism protests in cities like Barcelona and Malaga raise concerns about the sustainability of the current tourism model and the long-term viability of Spain’s beaches as a tourist attraction.
