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Tourists Abandon the US, Choose Spain Instead

Jan. 16, 2018
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2 min read
Triana district, Seville
Tourists Abandon the US, Choose Spain Instead
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Spain was the second-most popular holiday destination in the world in 2017, according to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Although the official UNWTO report will not be published until this spring, all tourism statistics indicate that Spain beat out the United States, with 82 million visitors in 2017, a record-breaking total that marks a nine percent increase over the year.



"We've become the world's second-largest receiver of tourists, and are in second place worldwide in income from tourists," Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Wednesday.

Rajoy also said that Spain's total income from tourism rose 12 percent in 2017, to €87 billion ($106.7 billion USD).

Global tourism experienced a boom worldwide, growing to 1.3 billion travelers crossing international borders in 2017, according to latest estimates.

In contrast to Spain's strong year, the United States experienced a particularly weak year of tourism amongst international travelers. Experts cite multiple factors in the decrease, including a strong US dollar, which made travel comparatively more expensive for foreigners; devastation from multiple natural disasters including hurricanes Irma and Harvey; and October's Las Vegas shooting, which left 58 people dead and 546 injured.

But the "Trump slump" was one of the top reasons for US tourism decline, according to ForwardKeys, which predicts future global travel patterns by analyzing over 17 million booking transactions per day. President Trump's series of travel bans against several Muslim-majority countries deterred many international travelers from entering US borders, according to ForwardKeys data.

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In contrast, Spain's impressive tourism growth took place despite a terrorist attack in August in the Catalonia region, home of wildly popular tourist destination Barcelona.

Feature photo of the Triana district, Seville, Spain. (Photo by Mario Gutiérrez/Getty Images)

Featured image by Getty Images

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.