Spain, which is the second most popular tourist destination in the world after France, is preparing to break a new attendance record, despite the growing social tensions associated with mass tourism.
According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), in the first half of 2024, the number of foreign tourists in Spain increased by 13% compared to the same period in 2023, amounting to 42.5 million visitors. In June alone, an increase of 12%, or 9 million tourists, was recorded, and their expenses reached 12.3 billion. euro, which is 17% higher than the previous year.
Based on these data, INE experts predict that by the end of 2024, more foreign travelers will visit Spain than a year earlier, when their number reached 85.1 million people.
However, such a massive influx of tourists is causing growing concern among the population, especially in such popular tourist resorts as Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.
Local residents, dissatisfied with the rise in prices for rented housing and the congestion of transport infrastructure, urge the authorities to urgently take measures to solve problems related to mass tourism and impose temporary restrictions on the arrival of foreign tourists.
Ensuring comfortable and accessible travel routes was a central topic at a session held during the V International Tourism Forum "Travel!" The session, titled "Transport Arteries of Tourism: Infrastructure Development for Comfortable Travel," highlighted the critical need for significant investment in Russia's transport logistics to achieve a breakthrough in the country's tourism sector
Despite a cyclone bringing heavy rains, thunderstorms, hail, and squally winds since June 15, Sochi's emergency services report no major incidents caused by the severe weather
The resort is now offering free morning fitness classes on the shore of its mountain lake at the Rosa Beach area, located 560 meters above sea level. These invigorating sessions run every week from Thursday to Sunday, led by qualified instructors
Sochi is set to expand its conservation efforts with the creation of four new specially protected natural areas. This initiative builds on significant greening efforts already underway in the city
Russia has significantly updated its environmental protection, land use, forestry, and biodiversity regulations. Under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, hundreds of outdated and redundant legal acts are set to be revoked or revised by September 1, 2025, as part of President Vladimir Putin's "regulatory guillotine" initiative
A new rail link is planned to connect the airports of Sochi, Russia, and Sukhumi, Abkhazia, within the next two years. Abkhazian President Badr Gunba announced the project, which will extend the existing electric train service from Sirius to Sukhumi, launched on May 1st
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