Sectoral diversification and oversizing of tourism
The productive model of Catalonia stands out for its great sectoral diversification, which gives it solidity and the ability to overcome crises. Despite the significant presence of the industry, a notable growth in tourism is observed, especially mass tourism, which represents approximately 12% of the Catalan GDP. This sector covers activities such as accommodation, restaurants, passenger transportation, recreational activities and other related activities.
Economic and labor impact
According to official estimates, tourism in Catalonia employs around 475,200 people, which represents 13% of total employment in the region. Of this percentage, 82% are salaried and the remaining 18% are self-employed. In 2023, 27 million travelers were registered and occupied the 500,000 places available in the accommodation sector, generating 86 million overnight stays. In addition, Catalan airports managed the traffic of 19.4 million passengers on international flights, with a total expenditure of 21.2 billion euros.
Growth and projections
Projections indicate that the tourism sector in Catalonia will reach records in 2024, even exceeding the activity levels recorded in 2019, the last year before the pandemic. It is estimated that the Spanish tourism GDP will be 7% higher than in 2019 in real terms, and a growth of 3.8% is expected in the arrival of international tourists compared to 2023.
Challenges and reflections
The exponential growth of tourism poses significant challenges, such as tourist saturation and its effects on the quality of life of residents, public transportation, cleanliness and coexistence. Furthermore, the creation of jobs in the sector collides with reality, since there is a shortage of local labor, which is reflected in the high percentage of foreign workers. Given this situation, the need arises for a strategic reflection on mass tourism and the viability of projects that promote its growth, considering the long-term impacts.