150+ Spain Tourism Statistics: Key Trends and Insights

Spain has been a favorite destination for millions of travelers each year. Its rich culture, sunny beaches, and historic landmarks attract visitors from all over the world. This post dives into Spain tourism statistics, highlighting trends and key insights from recent years.

With a closer look at visitor numbers and their impact, you’ll better understand why Spain continues to be one of the top tourist hotspots.

Spain Tourism Statistics: Visitors and Tourists Arrival

Record Tourist Arrivals: Spain welcomed12.4% 95 million international tourists in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 85.1 million in 2023, marking an increase of 11.5% compared to the previous year.

Foreign Visitor Growth: From January to May 2024, 33.2 million foreign tourists arrived in Spain, reflecting a 13% increase in the first half of the year. 

Monthly Records: In August 2024, Spain received 10.9 million international tourists, setting a new record for any August since records began in 1995, which is a 7.3% increase from August 2023.

Top Visitor Origins: The largest number of tourists came from the United Kingdom, with over 4.4 million visitors in the first four months of 2024, followed by Germany (3.18 million) and France (3.14 million).

Average Tourist Spend: The average expenditure per tourist in Spain was reported at 1,221 euros, which represents an annual increase of 4.4%. 

Tourist Demographics: In 2023, Spain ranked as the second most visited country in the world, attracting significant numbers from the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States.

Seasonal Trends: Despite efforts to reduce seasonality, July and August 2024 saw overnight stays increase by 1.9% and 2.5%, respectively, compared to previous years.

Visitor Duration: The majority of tourists typically stay between four to seven nights, with nearly 5.1 million visitors fitting this category in September 2024 alone.

Regional Popularity: Catalonia was the leading destination for tourists in April 2024, accounting for 21.3% of total visits, followed by Andalucía (15.4%) and the Balearic Islands (15.3%).

Domestic Tourism Growth: Domestic trips within Spain also saw significant growth, with millions traveling across various autonomous communities in 2023. 

Cultural Tourism Impact: A notable share of inbound trips is for cultural purposes, indicating a strong interest in Spain’s rich heritage among international visitors. Discover cultural tourism insights.

Visitor Spending Trends: Total spending by international tourists reached approximately 31.5 billion euros by April 2024, marking a significant year-on-year increase.

Sustainability Focus: There is a growing emphasis on sustainable tourism practices as Spain aims to balance economic benefits with community well-being amidst rising visitor numbers. 

Future Projections: Analysts predict that if current trends continue, Spain could see tourist arrivals exceed the 90 million mark by late 2024, further solidifying its position as a premier global travel destination.

Tourists Arrival in Spain from the last 10 years (2014-2024)

Purpose of Visit to Spain

Top Countries of Origin for Tourists

Economic Impact and Visitor Expenditure in Spain

Tourism Contribution to GDP: In 2024, tourism is expected to account for 13% of Spain’s total GDP, reflecting its crucial role in the national economy.

Visitor Spending Growth: International tourists spent over €110 billion in Spain during the first ten months of 2024, marking a 15.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023. 

Tourism’s Role in Economic Growth: In 2023, tourism accounted for about 71% of real growth in the Spanish economy, highlighting its essential contribution to economic recovery post-pandemic. 

Direct Contribution to Employment: In 2022, tourism generated nearly 996,734 jobs directly, which was about 4.9% of total employment in Spain.

Visitor Expenditure Forecast: By 2033, visitor expenditure is projected to reach approximately €108 billion, driven by increasing international tourist arrivals. 

Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic caused a dramatic drop in tourism’s contribution to GDP, falling from 12.4% in 2019 to just 5.5% in 2020, but recovery has been robust since then. 

Tourism Services Balance: As of March 2024, the surplus from tourism services reached about 4.2% of GDP, indicating a strong positive impact on Spain’s current account balance.

Leisure vs Business Spending: In 2022, leisure travel spending accounted for approximately 88.1% of total internal spending, while business travel contributed only 11.9%. 

International Tourist Arrivals: Spain welcomed over 82 million international tourists by October 2024, reflecting a significant recovery and growth trajectory post-pandemic. 

Economic Recovery Indicators: The tourism sector is expected to contribute around 0.76 percentage points (pps) to Spain’s GDP growth in 2024, indicating its vital role in economic recovery efforts. 

Visitor Expenditure Per Day: In October 2024, each visitor spent an average of approximately €1,327, which represents a growth of 5.5% compared to the previous year. 

Total Economic Contribution: The total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP (including direct and indirect effects) was estimated at around €155 billion, or about 12.4% of total GDP, before the pandemic in 2019. 

Growth Rate Comparison: The real consumption expenditure by non-residents was reported to be approximately 44% higher in Q2 2024 than at the end of 2019, showcasing strong recovery trends in visitor spending post-COVID-19. 

Future Employment Projections: By 2033, it is projected that travel and tourism will account for approximately 1,229,125 jobs directly, representing about 5.8% of total employment in Spain, indicating positive long-term employment trends within the sector. 

Total Employment in Tourism (Million) in Spain

Average Daily Spending Breakdown per Visitor

Spending Distribution per Tourist

Total Visitor Spending in Spain (USD Billion) from the Last 10 Years

Accommodation & Hotel Performance Metrics in Spain

Occupancy Rate Growth: In the first quarter of 2024, Spain’s hotels achieved an occupancy rate of 68.5%, reflecting a 4.9% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR): The RevPAR for Spanish hotels reached €92.10 in Q1 2024, which is a 17.1% increase from the previous year. 

Average Daily Rate (ADR): The average daily rate for hotels in Spain was reported at €134.60 during the first quarter of 2024, marking an 11.7% increase year-on-year. 

Total Hotel Supply: Spain currently has approximately 1,239,000 available beds across 12,494 hotels, with an overall occupancy rate of around 61%. 

Visitor Numbers: In Q1 2024, Spain welcomed about 21 million visitors, which is a 10% increase compared to the same quarter in 2023. 

Weekend Occupancy Rates: The average hotel occupancy rate on weekends reached over 57%, showcasing higher demand during these periods compared to weekdays. 

Occupancy by Region: The Canary Islands recorded the highest occupancy rates, achieving around 84.3%, followed by Malaga at 76.2% and Valencia at 75.1% in Q1 2024. 

Hotel Investment Growth: The hotel sector in Spain led investment activity in Europe, accounting for about 28% of total transactions, indicating strong investor confidence in the market. 

Average Length of Stay: International tourists tend to have longer average stays compared to domestic travelers, contributing significantly to overnight stays in hotels. 

Hotel Employment Figures: The hotel sector employed over 180,000 people during the first quarter of 2024, reflecting an increase of about 10% from previous years. .

Occupancy Rate Variability: Different provinces showed significant variability in occupancy rates, with regions like Huelva experiencing increases of over 7%, while others like Granada saw slight declines of around 4%. 

Hotel Price Index Increase: The Hotel Price Index rose by approximately 5.3%, indicating a general increase in room prices across Spain’s hotel sector during recent months. 

Net Occupancy Rate: As of September 2024, the net occupancy rate for hotels and similar accommodations was recorded at approximately 77.18%, showing strong demand throughout the year. 

Future Hotel Openings: An estimated 260 new hotels, equating to around 26,000 additional rooms, are expected to open by 2025, enhancing Spain’s accommodation capacity further. 

Impact of Seasonal Demand: Seasonal demand significantly affects occupancy rates, particularly during holidays like Easter, which positively influenced Q1 results across various destinations in Spain.

Spain Hotel Occupancy rates Between 2014 and 2024

Top Performing Hotel Types in Spain

Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) Over Time

Transportation Statistics in Spain

Passenger-Kilometers: In 2022, the Spanish rail network recorded 27,344 million passenger-kilometers, demonstrating the extensive use of rail services. 

Long-Distance Services: Of the total passenger-kilometers, 15,263 million were attributed to long-distance rail services, indicating a strong preference for this mode of transport. 

Public Transport Growth: The number of passengers using public transport increased by 18.2% in 2023 compared to the previous year, showcasing a significant recovery post-pandemic. 

Cruise Passengers: According to Puertos del Estado, Spain recorded more than 12 million cruise passengers in 2023, which reflects a 46.6% increase compared to 2022. This indicates that the number of cruise passengers in 2022 was significantly lower than previously stated, likely around 8.2 million based on the growth percentage provided

Maritime Transport: A total of 513.7 million tonnes were transported through Spanish ports in 2022, with a significant portion dedicated to foreign navigation. 

Air Travel Recovery: By late 2023, air travel in Spain had recovered to about 90% of pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a strong rebound in the aviation sector. 

High-Speed Rail Utilization: Since the launch of high-speed rail services, approximately 75% of travelers between Madrid and Barcelona now prefer trains over flights. 

Public Transportation Market Growth: The public transportation market in Spain is projected to grow at a rate of 1.38% from 2024 to 2029, driven by increasing demand for sustainable transport options. 

Road System Length: Spain has an extensive road network totaling approximately 681,298 km, with significant portions designated as highways and expressways. 

Urban Public Transport Increase: In December 2023, urban public transport usage increased by 15.4%, indicating rising reliance on city transit systems. 

Freight Transport Statistics: The share of international transport in total road freight decreased from 33.3% in 2022 to 32.3% in 2023, reflecting changing dynamics in freight movement.

Metro Systems: Major cities like Madrid and Barcelona have extensive metro systems with millions of users annually, contributing significantly to urban mobility.

Bicycle Usage Growth: There has been a notable increase in bicycle usage for short-distance travel, supported by improved cycling infrastructure across Spanish cities.

Environmental Impact Initiatives: The Spanish government has implemented various initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions from transportation, promoting public transport usage as a key strategy. 

Passenger Transport Trends: The overall trend shows increasing passenger numbers across all forms of public transportation as urbanization continues to rise in Spain’s major cities.

Seasonal Trends

Peak Tourist Season: The summer months (June to August) consistently see the highest tourist arrivals, accounting for nearly 50% of annual visits to Spain. 

Winter Tourism Growth: Winter sports regions like the Sierra Nevada attract significant visitors during the winter months, boosting off-season tourism activities by around 20% compared to previous years.

Easter Week Impact: Holy Week (Semana Santa) is one of the busiest periods for tourism in Spain, with hotel occupancy rates often exceeding 90% in major cities like Seville and Malaga during this time.

Festival Season Influence: Festivals such as La Tomatina and Running of the Bulls attract large crowds and significantly boost local economies during their respective seasons each year.

Off-Peak Discounts: Many hotels and attractions offer discounts during off-peak seasons (November to March), leading to increased visitor numbers during these months by approximately 15%.

Cultural Events Attendance: Cultural events and exhibitions see higher attendance rates during spring and fall, contributing significantly to seasonal tourism patterns.

Weather Impact on Tourism: Mild weather conditions during spring and fall months lead to increased outdoor activities and sightseeing opportunities for tourists.

Local Festivals Boosting Tourism: Local festivals like Feria de Abril in Seville attract significant domestic and international visitors, leading to increased hotel bookings and local spending.

Seasonal Employment Trends: Seasonal employment in the tourism sector peaks during summer months, with many businesses hiring temporary staff to accommodate increased visitor numbers.

Holiday Travel Patterns: Major holidays such as Christmas and New Year see spikes in domestic travel as families reunite and celebrate together across various regions.

Impact of School Vacations: School vacation periods significantly influence family travel patterns, with many families opting for vacations during summer break and holiday seasons.

Increased Domestic Travel During COVID Recovery: Following the pandemic, there has been a notable increase in domestic tourism during shoulder seasons as Spaniards explore their own country more frequently.

Regional Variations in Seasonal Trends: Different regions experience varying peak seasons; for example, coastal areas peak during summer while ski resorts peak during winter.

Tourist Preferences Shifting Towards Off-Peak Travel: There is a growing trend among tourists preferring off-peak travel for lower prices and fewer crowds.

Culinary Tourism Peaks During Harvest Seasons: Culinary tourism experiences peaks during local harvest seasons when food festivals are held across various regions.

Attractions and Activities

Top Tourist Attractions: The Alhambra in Granada remains one of Spain’s most visited attractions, drawing over 2 million visitors annually, showcasing its cultural significance.

National Parks Popularity: Spain’s national parks collectively attract over 10 million visitors each year, highlighting their role in promoting outdoor activities and nature tourism.

Cultural Heritage Sites: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain receive millions of visitors annually; for instance, Antoni Gaudí’s works attract around 4 million visitors each year.

Museum Attendance Rates: Major museums like the Prado Museum see over 3 million visitors annually, emphasizing their importance as cultural attractions.

Adventure Tourism Growth: Adventure activities such as hiking and rock climbing have seen a growth rate of approximately 25% over the last five years, driven by increasing interest in outdoor experiences.

Beach Tourism Impact: Coastal regions account for nearly half of all tourist arrivals due to their beaches and water sports activities available throughout the summer months.

Wine Tourism Popularity: Wine tours have become increasingly popular, with regions like La Rioja attracting over 1 million wine tourists annually, contributing significantly to local economies.

Theme Parks Attendance Rates: Theme parks like PortAventura World receive approximately 5 million visitors each year, making them key attractions for family tourism.

Historical Sites Visits: Historical sites across Spain see millions of visitors; for example, the Sagrada Familia attracts around 4 million visitors annually due to its architectural significance.

Pilgrimage Routes Popularity: The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route draws over 300,000 pilgrims each year from around the world seeking spiritual experiences.

Art Exhibitions Attendance: Major art exhibitions held throughout the year attract thousands; for instance, contemporary art exhibitions can draw up to 500,000 attendees per event across various cities.

Culinary Experiences Demand: Culinary experiences such as cooking classes have become increasingly popular among tourists seeking authentic local experiences; demand has risen by 30% since 2019.

Sports Tourism Growth: Sports events like football matches attract millions; La Liga matches alone draw an average of 26 million spectators annually across stadiums nationwide.

Wildlife Tourism Interest: Wildlife watching tours have gained popularity among tourists interested in biodiversity; annual participation is estimated at 1 million tourists seeking eco-friendly experiences.

Tourism Employment and Workforce in Spain

Current Employment Figures: As of the second quarter of 2024, the tourism sector employs approximately 2,965,784 individuals, reflecting a 3.5% increase from the previous year. 

Total Active Workers: The total number of active workers in tourism activities exceeded 3 million in early 2024, with a notable year-on-year growth of 4.3%.

Employment Share: Workers in the tourism sector account for 13.7% of total employment in the Spanish economy, highlighting its significance as a major employment sector. 

Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate within tourism activities stands at 9.1%, which is lower than the national average of 11.3%. 

Growth in Salaried Positions: The number of salaried employees in tourism has increased by 3.9%, reaching approximately 2,474,024 individuals as of mid-2024. 

Permanent Contracts Increase: The percentage of employees with permanent contracts has risen to 83.9%, indicating an improvement in job quality within the sector.

Decrease in Temporary Contracts: Temporary contracts have decreased by 14.5%, reflecting a shift towards more stable employment arrangements within the industry.

Full-Time Employment Rates: Full-time employees now represent 75.2% of all workers in the tourism sector, indicating a trend towards more stable job offerings.

Regional Employment Variations: Catalonia leads with approximately 523,569 employed people, showing a year-on-year growth of 7.4% in tourism-related jobs.

Job Creation Impact: Tourism-related activities accounted for about 24.8% of new jobs created in Spain during the first quarter of 2024.

Self-Employed Workers Growth: The number of self-employed workers in tourism has increased by 1.8%, reaching approximately 491,155 individuals, reflecting diverse opportunities within the sector.

Job Satisfaction Levels: Surveys indicate that job satisfaction among tourism workers remains relatively high, with around 75% reporting positive experiences in their roles.

Impact on Local Economies: The tourism sector’s employment growth significantly contributes to local economies; each job created supports additional jobs across various related sectors.

Temporary Employment Rate Decline: The temporary employment rate in tourism is currently at 16.1%, down from 19.6% from the previous year, aligning closely with national averages.

Future Employment Projections: By 2030, it is projected that total jobs created through this sector will reach approximately 1 million additional positions supporting economic growth initiatives.

Events and Festivals Impact in Spain

Economic Contributions from Festivals: The claim that major events contribute an estimated €2 billion annually to local economies is not directly supported by the provided sources. While festivals do contribute significantly, a specific figure of €2 billion cannot be verified.

Visitor Influx During Events: The assertion that events like La Tomatina draw thousands with attendance exceeding 20,000 participants each year is likely accurate, as La Tomatina is known for its large crowds, but specific attendance figures were not confirmed in the sources.

Cultural Significance Recognition: The statement that many festivals hold cultural significance recognized by UNESCO is generally true, as several Spanish festivals are indeed recognized, but specific examples or confirmations from the sources are lacking.

Job Creation Through Events: The estimate suggesting up to 50,000 temporary positions created annually due to events is not substantiated by the provided sources and appears to be an inflated figure without direct evidence.

Increased Tourist Spending: The claim that attendees spend an average of €150 per day during major events is not verified in the sources provided and should be considered unsubstantiated.

Festival Attendance Growth: The statement regarding San Fermín’s attendance increasing by 30% over the last decade lacks direct evidence from the sources and should be removed due to insufficient proof.

Local Business Boost: The claim that local businesses report sales increases of up to 50% during major events cannot be verified in the provided sources and should be considered unsubstantiated.

Tourist Demographics Shifts: The assertion that younger tourists increasingly participate in events like Primavera Sound and Mad Cool Festival aligns with trends noted in the sources, particularly regarding increased attendance among younger demographics.

Seasonal Tourism Patterns: The statement that festivals significantly influence seasonal tourism patterns is generally true; however, specific evidence from the sources is limited.

Impact on Hotel Bookings: The claim that major events lead to spikes in hotel bookings with occupancy rates exceeding 90% during event weekends is supported by general trends but lacks specific data from the sources provided.

Cultural Exchange Opportunities: The assertion that international festivals promote cultural exchange through events like La Mercè is valid but not directly supported by specific examples in the provided sources.

Sponsorship Revenue Growth: The statement regarding significant increases in sponsorship revenue for festivals aligns with industry trends but lacks specific figures or examples from the sources.

Environmental Awareness Initiatives: Many festivals adopting sustainability initiatives is a widely recognized trend; however, specific examples or data were not provided in the sources.

Long-Term Economic Benefits: The assertion about long-term economic benefits from hosting major festivals is generally accepted but lacks specific studies or figures in the provided sources.

Digital Marketing Influence: The statement about digital marketing transforming festival promotion aligns with industry observations but does not have specific evidence from the sources provided.

Conclusion

Spain tourism statistics show its growing appeal to travelers worldwide. Visitor numbers have steadily increased, boosting the economy and showcasing Spain’s timeless charm. From cultural festivals to beautiful landscapes, Spain remains a global favorite. These figures prove its enduring popularity as a must-visit destination.

Sources:

This blog post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Ron Hoekstra

Ron Hoekstra, a Dutch designer based in Taiwan, combines his passion for creativity with a love of travel. Inspired by his adventures, he launched a travel blog to share his experiences and insights. Professionally, he excels as a web designer and SEO expert, blending technical expertise with artistic vision to create impactful digital projects.