Spain’s Tourism Sector Breaks Multiple Records in 2025
In the first ten months of 2025, Spain received nearly 85.7 million international visitors, a 3.5% increase year-on-year, setting the highest record for the period. Simultaneously, total tourist expenditure reached over 118.6 billion euros, a 7% year-on-year growth. These figures indicate a continued strong recovery for Spain’s tourism industry, making it a crucial driver of the economy.
Sustained Growth in Tourist Arrivals
According to the Frontur survey from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), international tourist arrivals reached between 85.6 and 85.7 million from January to October 2025. In October alone, the country welcomed 9.2 million tourists, a 3.2% increase year-on-year. The main source countries include the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. Cumulative data shows that 66.8 million tourists arrived in the first eight months, and 44.5 million in the first six months, both setting new records for their respective periods. Air travel data also shows that international air passengers exceeded 100 million from January to November.
Significant Increase in Tourist Spending
The Egatur survey reveals that total tourist spending in the first ten months surpassed 118.6 billion euros, a 7% year-on-year increase. In October alone, spending reached 12.785 billion euros, up 7.4%. The average expenditure per tourist was 1,383 euros, with an average daily spending of 201 euros. The growth in spending outpaced the growth in tourist numbers, reflecting an increase in tourist purchasing power. The main expenditure categories include transportation, accommodation, and activities. British tourists accounted for the largest share of cumulative spending, at 17.9%.
Market Diversification Trend Emerges
Official press releases emphasize the progress made in market diversification. Non-European markets such as Colombia, Mexico, China, and Qatar have shown significant growth in tourist numbers. Contributions from Latin American and Asian markets have increased. Air capacity data indicates notable growth in the number of seats from markets like Italy, Colombia, and Mexico. In some months, spending from the “Rest of the World” category grew by as much as 10.5%.
Main Destinations and Employment Impact
Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Andalusia are the main destinations. In October, Catalonia received nearly 1.98 million tourists. Tourism-related employment also continues to grow, with the number of social security affiliates in the tourism sector reaching 2.79 million in November, a 2.7% year-on-year increase. The tourism industry continues to support Spain’s economic growth.
