This performance confirms that beyond the sheer number of tourists, Spain consolidates its appeal in terms of profitability, as visitors spend more per day and extend their stays. The most common length of stay is between four and seven nights, attracting nearly 5.3 million people in July. The geographic concentration of international tourism continues to reflect traditional patterns: the Balearic Islands were the leading destination in July, with 2.56 million visitors, a 1% increase; Catalonia received 2.35 million, although down 1.2%; Andalusia reached 1.54 million, up 5.5%; the Valencian Community welcomed 1.49 million (+1.4%); the Canary Islands totaled 1.23 million (+6%); and the Community of Madrid hosted 719,000 visitors, a 3.1% decrease.
By source markets, the United Kingdom remains the most important, with more than 11 million tourists up to July, a 4.3% rise compared to 2024, and accounting for 17.6% of total spending. France followed with 7.1 million visitors (+1.7%), and Germany with 6.9 million (+1.6%). In terms of accumulated spending, after the UK stand Germany (11.7%) and France (8.1%). In July, British travelers led with more than 2 million visitors and over €2.9 billion in expenditure, followed by France (1.5 million tourists and €1.465 billion), Germany (1.1 million and €1.575 billion), and the United States, which contributed more than half a million visitors who generated €1.174 billion, confirming the strength of the North American market.
The autonomous communities with the highest accumulated expenditure in the first seven months of the year are the Canary Islands (18.5% of the total), Catalonia (18.2%), and the Balearic Islands (15.3%), consolidating the relevance of island and Mediterranean destinations. The combination of sun, beach, cultural heritage, and complementary offerings keeps these regions at the top of international preferences. At the same time, the data suggest that while the number of arrivals shows more moderate growth, the saturation of traditional destinations and a more contained inflation explain why total spending continues to hit record levels.
The analysis of results reveals a qualitative transformation in Spain’s tourism model: success is shifting from being measured solely by the volume of tourists to focusing on economic impact and the quality of the experience. Increasingly, international visitors are opting for higher value-added stays, with spending on accommodation, transport, and cultural or recreational activities. The INE details that accommodation absorbed an average of 20.5% of each traveler’s budget, transport accounted for 18.9%, and activities 18.4%, confirming the growing weight of leisure and culture in the tourism basket.
In this scenario, experts point out that Spain is approaching the symbolic target of one hundred million annual visitors, but the current pace suggests that stabilization may occur around that figure. However, the tourism industry maintains solid momentum, with indicators confirming the sector’s resilience despite relative deceleration. For many destinations, the challenge is no longer to attract more tourists, but to manage existing flows sustainably and maximize the economic, social, and cultural value they generate.
Authorities emphasize the importance of consolidating diversification and sustainability policies aimed at reducing pressure in saturated areas and distributing the benefits of tourism across emerging territories. The record level of spending registered up to July supports these strategies, demonstrating that it is possible to generate higher revenues with moderate growth in arrivals, as long as the offer adapts to new demands. The outlook for the coming months suggests that Spain will continue to lead international tourism in Europe, with demand that, although moderating in pace, remains strong and capable of generating wealth for the entire country.
The data confirm that Spain is experiencing a transitional moment in its tourism leadership. Record figures combine with signs of stabilization that require rethinking strategies to ensure long-term competitiveness. What is clear is that in both visitor numbers and spending, the country remains a global powerhouse attracting millions of people and providing a fundamental volume of revenue for the national economy.
