The history of tourism in Spain, as we know it today, dates back to the 19th century.as an impact of the industrial revolution. As a result of economic and social changes, the country modestly joined the tourist trends of other industrialized countries, in which trips or trips were intended for leisure, rest, culture, business or family relationships.
However, The origins of tourism date back to ancient Rome, where the richest people took pleasure trips to the coasts of the Mediterranean.
Currently, Tourism is one of the main economic drivers of the country. Indeed, each year, this sector offers, directly or indirectly, numerous sources of work to millions of people which translate into significant profits.
Origins of tourism in Antiquity
The act of traveling, beyond war or survival, It has its origins in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome. In ancient Egypt, people traveled for religious or commercial reasons, while higher elites took leisure trips to visit temples or historical monuments. The ancient Greeks, on the other hand, traveled to visit the shrines of their gods and participate in sporting competitions like the Olympic Games.
The Romans, who had developed an extensive road network, did not only travel for religious and sporting reasons, but also for pleasure and health, since they often went to thermal baths and visited the villas of the empire. At that time, emperors took vacations to travel to the coasts of the Mediterranean.therefore for some authors, the true precursors of leisure tourism were the Romans.
Leisure travel in the modern and contemporary era
In the modern era, leisure travel began to become much more accessible among the emerging middle class, thanks to the invention of the railway and steamboats..
The first planned group trip in history took place in 1841, led by Thomas Cook.considered “the father of modern tourism”. Although this had economic repercussions, it ended up being a resounding success when it came to travel packages. In fact, in 1851, Cook founded the world’s first travel agency called Thomas Cook and Son.
During World War II, tourism came to a complete halt all over the world. until 1950, when the so-called “tourist boom” began, thanks to the invention of commercial airplanes. Airlines allowed people to travel quickly and cheaply to different parts of the world, thereby boosting mass tourism.
The new international order, combined with social stability and the development of leisure culture in the West, They have led to exponential growth in international tourism like never before in history. It was at this time that legislation on the sector began.
Mass tourism (from the 20th century to the present)
Mass tourism in Spain is developing late compared to the rest of Europe. At that time, tourist interest was focused on the thermal baths and was aimed exclusively at the aristocracy and the emerging bourgeois class of the cities. The most popular seaside resorts, like Panticosa or Mondariz, became small mini-towns with residential areas, shops, churches… which made the stay of wealthy families much more comfortable.
At the beginning of the 20th century, travelers began to take an interest in beachesespecially because baths began to be considered a healthy therapy. Medicine of the time was convinced that sea water was a source of health and cleanliness, so kings began to travel to the Cantabria region to enjoy its strawberry waters.
This way, Places like Sardinero, in Santander, or La Concha, in San Sebastián, have become the favorite “summer” destinations. During the summer season, the influx of tourists to these cities increased, mainly due to the amount of services they offered and the help they received from the royal houses.
Since the start of the new millennium, Spain has continued to experience steady growth in tourism. For this reason, improvements have been made to tourism infrastructuretheme parks were created and the construction of hotels and tourist apartments increased, increasing the supply of luxury tourism.
Currently, globalization and technological progress, including the creation of online booking platforms and mobile applications, They have made travel easier than ever, with the arrival of millions of tourists exploring our country’s major tourism powerhouses.
Tourism in the 21st century
Today, Spain is one of the most important tourist destinations in the worldknown for its rich history, its gastronomy, its festivals and the diversity of its landscapes. Cities like Barcelona, Madrid and Seville, as well as rural and beach destinations, continue to attract millions of visitors each year.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also impacted the sectorforcing the industry to rethink its model, prioritizing sustainability and safety. Responsible tourism and ecotourism projects are gaining popularity and greater integration of local communities in tourism development is being sought.
Recommended readings
Brief history of tourism in Spain
History of tourism in Spain
