Tourist Litter
in Spain
Overcrowding and the Housing Market
COVID-19 and Economic Dependence on Tourism
Bonus
Fun Facts
100

Many beaches in Spain are suffering from this problem caused by careless visitors.

What is trash pollution.

100

Overcrowding from tourism has caused the cost of this basic need to rise in many Spanish cities.

What is housing?

100

When COVID-19 hit, Spain’s economy declined because it heavily depended on this industry.

What is tourism?

100

Spain ranks near the top of the world for this measure, attracting more than 80 million visitors per year before COVID-19.

What is international tourist arrivals?

100

In 2023 Spain welcomed this many tourist, almost matching their post pandemic record. 

What is 85 million

200

Tourist litter harms this natural environment that attracts millions of visitors every summer.

What are coastal ecosystems?

200

Local residents in tourist hotspots struggle to afford homes because many apartments are turned into these.

What are vacation rentals or Airbnbs?


200

Spain saw a sharp drop in visitors in 2020 due to these worldwide restrictions.

What are travel bans or lockdowns?


200

This city is Spain’s capital and one of Europe’s most visited destinations, known for its art museums and royal palace.

What is Madrid?

200

Spain boasts an impressive number of 50 of these UNESCO-recognized treasures, including the Alhambra and the works of Gaudí.

What are World Heritage Sites?

300

Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona have increased the number of these to reduce tourist trash.

What are recycling bins or waste collection points?

300

This Spanish city has become a symbol of the housing crisis linked to mass tourism.

What is Barcelona?

300

Tourism contributes roughly this percentage (between 10–15%) of Spain’s total GDP.

What is about 12%?

300

This island group, located off the northwest coast of Africa, is one of Spain’s most popular vacation spots year-round.

What are the Canary Islands?

300

The Costa del Sol, or “Sun Coast,” is famous for getting around this many days of sunshine per year.

What are 300 days?

400

Tourism litter not only damages nature but also hurts this important industry that depends on clean scenery.

What is the tourism industry?


400

Many Spaniards have protested that tourism causes this effect, where locals are pushed out of their neighborhoods.

What is gentrification or displacement?

400

The pandemic revealed Spain’s need to strengthen other sectors like technology and agriculture — a process called this.

What is economic diversification?

400

This pilgrimage route across northern Spain attracts hikers, spiritual travelers, and adventure tourists alike.

What is the Camino de Santiago?

400

Every July, the Spanish city of Pamplona becomes the center of attention for this daring annual event.

What is the Running of the Bulls?

500

To protect its environment from over-littering, Spain has begun promoting this type of eco-friendly travel.

What is sustainable tourism?

500

Some cities in Spain have started limiting short-term rentals to reduce overcrowding, a policy known as this.

What are tourism caps or rental restrictions?

500

Spain’s government introduced this type of financial plan to help hotels and small tourism businesses recover.

What is a stimulus package or economic recovery plan?

500

Spain is second only to this country in global tourism rankings.

What is France?

500

Spain’s tourism slogan once declared “España es diferente”, which means this in English.

What is “Spain is different”?