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What a world we live in! There are people around the world who are still in awe of pursuing the “American Dream,” but some of us Americans are growing tired of traveling around America ourselves.
When it comes to travel, there are some fantastic places to visit in the US, from iconic cities, beautiful national parks and amazing beaches from coast to coast.
Long ranked second behind France as the most visited country in the world, the US is no longer going for gold, finding itself a step back with bronze.
France is still the most visited, but also a European superpower keeps breaking tourism records and surpassed the US for second place.
Spain gives the US the boot
Whether it’s America’s strange politics, its violent reputation, or just time to put another destination in the spotlight, Spain is now the second most visited country in the world.
And what a year Spain is experiencing!
Just like the US, there are iconic cities, breathtaking nature and incredible beaches along the coast.
Oh, and islands. They certainly beat the US in that regard. Sorry, Catalina!
Needless to say, Spain is having a moment. So much so that locals are demanding action to curb the influx of crowds as the number of visitors has almost doubled the total population.
One of Spain’s main draws is its unique culture, but sometimes sticking to what entices tourists can get lost in the sauce.
Nevertheless, Spain and its hordes of tourists are not going anywhere.
With summer just around the corner, it’s guaranteed to skyrocket even more with such amazing places to visit.
Can Spain overtake France? Better yet, should they?
There is a lot to be said about overtourism in many different countries. Some places are just dramatic, while others have a very real problem.
We all know how the world changed seemingly overnight during the pandemic, and we’re now seeing how that shift doesn’t just immediately return to normal.
Travelers have blazed their own trail by developing new trends and sticking with them after being cooped up and in charge.
Spain is one of the main culprits, or victims, depending on how you look at it. A culprit because it is so tempting to come by, and a victim because demonstrably far too many people come in.
Here’s where things get tricky: Spain hasn’t done itself any favors by launching a digital nomad visa, a trend that has become all the rage since the dark days of COVID.
The country is moving on a see-saw, trying to overtake France as the most popular destination in the world, while at the same time trying to maintain its authenticity and keep its own residents happy.
As Jordi Hereu, Spain’s Minister of Tourism and Industry, said: ‘without citizens there are no tourist destinations’.
If Spain ultimately gives France the chance, this will probably not be the year that Paris hosts the Summer Olympics.
Where do travelers go in Spain?
Spain is constantly breaking tourism records, but where do the travelers go?
That is simple. The answer is everywhere!
Cities upon cities, beaches upon beaches and islands upon islands are seeing huge spikes in tourism.
Visiting Spain is one of the easiest countries to get to from the US as direct flights are plentiful and often among the cheapest in Europe, especially if you take LEVEL, the country’s own budget airline.
To be honest, Spain isn’t the best place to avoid the crowds this summer. Even lesser-known coastal gems such as Benalmadena are becoming trendy new hotspots.
Of course, Spanish hot spots like Madrid and Barcelona never get old for historic city adventures, and the same goes for incredible island paradises like Mallorca or Formentera.
But as popular as it is, it’s safe to say you can skip the pumping crowds of Ibiza.
Spain has so much more to offer.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
