Spain’s Tourism Sector Sets Record with Over 40 Million Visitors in H1 2024
In the first half of 2024, Spain received over 40 million international tourists, breaking all previous records. The Balearic and Canary Islands emerged as top destinations, with average tourist spending also increasing. This performance has significantly boosted the Spanish economy.
First-Half Visitor Data in Detail
According to data from the National Tourism Registry System (INET), Spain received a cumulative total of 40.295 million international visitors from January to June 2024. This represents a 12.5% year-over-year increase and is 10.3% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This figure surpasses all previous half-year records. In June alone, visitor numbers reached 10.2 million, a 13.4% increase from the previous month.
The Balearic Islands attracted 3.513 million visitors (an 11.3% increase), and the Canary Islands received 3.089 million (a 10.6% increase). Catalonia and the Valencian Community also posted strong numbers, with 4.995 million and 4.673 million visitors, respectively. These regions, which are highly dependent on tourism, saw significant economic benefits.
Tourist Spending Continues to Climb
Total tourist expenditure reached €57.9 billion, a 19.3% increase year-over-year. The average daily spend rose to €144 from €130 in 2019, with each tourist spending an average of €1,446. David Picó, head of INET, noted, “This growth reflects longer stays and an increase in high-end consumption.”
British tourists were the largest group with 8.65 million visitors, followed by Germans at 7.81 million and French at 5.56 million. The fastest-growing market was Portugal, with a 25.2% increase. These figures align with the preliminary report from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE), which showed nearly 9 million visitors and over €10 billion in spending for the month of May.
Main Source Countries and Regional Distribution
European tourists accounted for over 85% of the total, with the British, German, and French markets being dominant. There were also 1.79 million visitors from the United States, 1.02 million from Argentina, and 325,000 from China. Air travel remained the primary mode of transport, accounting for 77.6% of all arrivals.
A report from Luis Ventura Airlines shows that nearly 30 million passengers were transported between January and May, an 11% year-over-year increase. Spain’s Minister for Tourism stated that these results solidify Spain’s position as a top global tourist destination. The data has been cross-verified by multiple reputable media outlets like ABC and official tourism department websites.
