One of the key messages emerging from the 2024 results is that tourism’s relevance is not confined to what it produces directly. Its role as an economic “tractor” remains intact: tourism activates demand across multiple value chains and stimulates business in sectors such as food and beverage supply, logistics, retail, professional services, advertising and communication, event management, administrative services, and other activities that feed into tourism consumption. Economic analyses underline this multiplying effect by estimating that for every euro generated directly by tourism, an additional €1.14 is generated elsewhere in the economy, highlighting how deeply tourism is interwoven into Spain’s productive structure.
This momentum was also evident in travel flows. Spain recorded approximately 94 million international tourists in 2024, setting a new high and representing growth of around 10% compared with 2023. This increase in arrivals was accompanied by an even stronger performance in spending: tourist expenditure was estimated at roughly €126 billion, an increase of more than 15% year-on-year. The evolution of spending is particularly relevant, as it signals not only a higher volume of visitors, but also a greater capacity to generate value through longer stays, higher daily spend, more diversified experiences, and a continued shift towards higher-quality travel consumption.
The data further show the strengthening of inbound tourism expenditure as the main driver of domestic tourism consumption. In 2024, inbound demand represented more than half of total tourism consumption, increasing its relative weight compared with the previous year. This indicates that international demand remains central to Spain’s tourism performance, while also reflecting the country’s position as a global destination capable of attracting travellers despite uncertainty in international markets.
From a competitiveness standpoint, Spain continues to consolidate its standing among the most attractive destinations worldwide. Maintaining its position as one of the top global tourism powers has been essential for the sector’s ability to generate foreign income, create employment across diverse territories, and sustain activity in both mature destinations and emerging markets. The 2024 results reaffirm that Spain’s tourism model retains strong international appeal, while also facing new expectations linked to sustainability, quality, and territorial balance.
Looking ahead, the solidity of 2024 provides a favourable baseline for 2025, with projections suggesting further expansion in tourism’s total economic contribution. However, sector analysts emphasize that sustaining this trajectory will require policies and strategies focused on economic, social, and environmental sustainability, as well as measures to better manage seasonality, encourage spatial diversification, and reinforce the quality and resilience of tourism products and services. In this context, the challenge is not merely to grow, but to grow with greater value added, improved distribution of benefits, and stronger alignment with community wellbeing and destination governance.
In summary, tourism closed 2024 with figures that confirm its central role in Spain’s economic performance: 12.6% of GDP, over 2.7 million jobs, record international arrivals, and a clear strengthening of spending and multiplier effects across the economy. These results go beyond a post-pandemic rebound; they illustrate a mature, resilient sector that continues to deliver broad-based impacts and remains a strategic lever for Spain’s competitiveness and prosperity.
