Saturday, August 2, 2025
In the first half of 2025, Spain achieved an impressive milestone in tourism, welcoming a record 44.5 million visitors, marking a 4.7% increase compared to the previous year. This surge in tourist arrivals can be attributed to several factors, including Spain’s enduring popularity as a top European destination, an increase in international travel post-pandemic, and its diverse offerings that appeal to a wide range of travelers. Additionally, the rise in tourist spending, which saw an impressive 7.5% increase, highlights the growing trend of higher expenditure per tourist despite shorter stays. This article explores the reasons behind Spain’s tourism boom, analyzing the key markets driving growth, the most popular destinations, and the evolving accommodation preferences of visitors.
In the first half of 2025, Spain experienced a significant surge in tourism, welcoming 44.5 million visitors, which represents a 4.7% increase from the same period in the previous year. This influx of tourists resulted in a notable rise in spending, with total expenditure reaching nearly 60 billion euros, marking a 7.5% increase from the previous year.
Spain’s tourism sector is experiencing remarkable growth. In the first half of 2025, the country welcomed a record 44.5 million visitors, underscoring its increasing popularity as a top global travel destination. Alongside the surge in arrivals, the economic impact of tourism has soared, with total spending reaching 59.622 billion euros. This growth reflects a strong performance in the sector. Tourists spent an average of 209 euros per day, a 6.5% rise compared to June 2024. Despite this uptick in spending, the average length of stay dropped by 2.8%, with visitors staying an average of 6.6 days. This indicates that, although travelers are staying for shorter periods, they are willing to spend more during their time in Spain.
A key driving force behind Spain’s tourism growth came from visitors hailing from Great Britain, Germany, and France. British travelers topped the list, with almost 9 million arrivals, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year. Germany closely followed, contributing 5.7 million visitors, a 3% rise, while France brought in 5.6 million tourists, reflecting a 3.1% growth. These three nations were also the largest contributors to Spain’s tourism revenue, with British visitors spending 17.6% of the total, Germans accounting for 12.3%, and the French contributing 7.9%.
The U.S. market also saw growth, with 2.12 million American visitors, marking a 3.4% increase. Spain’s top tourist spots continued to be Catalonia, the Canary Islands, and Andalusia. Catalonia drew 9.3 million tourists, while the Canary Islands and Andalusia welcomed 7.8 million and 6.8 million visitors, respectively. When it comes to spending, the Canary Islands led, capturing 19.9% of total tourism expenditure, followed by Catalonia at 17.7% and Andalusia at 15.3%. In June, the Balearic Islands outpaced other regions in spending, accounting for 21% of the total, with Catalonia and Andalusia at 19.8% and 14.7%, respectively.
Madrid emerged as the most expensive destination, with tourists spending an average of 329 euros per day. In comparison, Catalonia recorded an average daily spend of 251 euros. Andalusia experienced the largest surge in spending, with daily expenses growing by 17.3% to 200 euros, while the Balearic Islands also saw a boost, reaching 218 euros per day, up by 5%.
Accommodation trends also saw shifts in the first half of 2025. A total of 36 million tourists opted for commercial lodging, with rental housing seeing the largest growth, increasing by nearly 10%. Hotel stays, by contrast, grew at a more modest pace, with only a 1.6% increase. Hotels remained the preferred accommodation type, with 28.7 million visitors choosing them for their stays. However, more tourists began opting for private homes or staying with family and friends. Stays in private residences rose by 12.4%, and stays with relatives and friends grew by 10.4%. In June, hotels accounted for 67% of all overnight stays, marking a 7.4% increase compared to the previous year. Tourists who chose hotels tended to spend more, with higher expenditure on accommodations than those staying with family or friends. In contrast, spending on accommodations with relatives saw a decline of nearly 6%.
This surge in tourism highlights Spain’s continued prominence as a leading destination for global travelers. The increase in both visitor numbers and spending underscores the resilience and appeal of Spain’s tourism sector, even in the face of changing travel habits and economic factors. The trend of shorter stays paired with higher spending per day suggests that tourists are seeking high-quality experiences within a condensed time frame. This shift could have long-term implications for Spain’s tourism industry, influencing everything from accommodation types to the services and experiences offered to visitors.
