Survey shows extent of Spain's popularity among German tourists

While protests against mass tourism in Spain are growing, a recent survey highlights the popularity of the country, with just under two-thirds of all adults in Germany having already taken a holiday in Spain.

In a representative survey conducted by the market research institute YouGov, 64% of respondents reported having spent at least one holiday in the south-western European country.

Almost one in five, or 19%, of those surveyed stated that they had holidayed in Spain exactly once.

Almost a third, or 29%, had been to Spain between two and five times. Ten percent had holidayed in Spain six to 10 times, 4% 11 to 20 times, and 2% even more than 20 times.

The vacation destination, which is very popular not only among Germans but also among Britons, the French and US tourists, has recently hit the headlines due to frequent protests against the excesses of mass tourism.

On Sunday, thousands of people on Mallorca expressed their displeasure. A day later, the regional government of the Balearic Islands promised "bold measures" against the excesses, without giving specific details.

In other Spanish holiday hotspots like Barcelona or the Canary Islands, resentment is also growing.

According to the YouGov survey, Spain is particularly popular as a holiday destination in western Germany, where 67% of those surveyed stated that they had holidayed in Spain at least once. In the east, this figure is only 56%.

Men, overall, had holidayed in Spain slightly more frequently than women, 66% to 62%.

A total of 3,317 people took part in the YouGov survey on July 22.