Spain posts record tourists and record spending

18-01-2026

In 2025, Spain reached historic figures in international tourist arrivals and the spending associated with their visits, consolidating the country as one of the leading tourism powers globally and marking a milestone in the sector’s recovery and expansion after the effects of the pandemic. According to the official data presented by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, Spain received 97 million foreign visitors over the year, which represents a 3.5% increase compared with 2024, a year that had already set previous records. Alongside this solid growth in arrivals, total spending by these tourists reached €135 billion, an increase of 6.8% over the previous year—figures that underscore the country’s strong appeal as a destination and the greater economic value generated by visitors.

The annual tourism balance in Spain not only highlights the country’s ability to attract visitors in volume, but also its effectiveness in generating significant economic impact. The rise in tourism spending, which outpaced the growth in the number of arrivals, indicates that visitors are spending more on average during their stays, driven by a combination of longer trips, a diversification of activities, and a strategic focus on higher value-added segments. This dynamism has reinforced tourism’s role as a central engine of the Spanish economy, making a notable contribution to gross domestic product growth and employment.

The intensity of this activity is also reflected in robust employment figures: the tourism sector closed December 2025 with 2.75 million people registered with Social Security, the highest figure since this historical series began, representing 2.4% growth compared with the same month the previous year. This increase in employment reflects the sector’s capacity to absorb labor and generate job opportunities, especially in services directly linked to tourism demand such as hospitality, transport, retail, and leisure and cultural services.

Sector leaders have also highlighted a shift in the distribution of tourism across Spanish territory, with greater destination diversification and a gradual reduction in seasonality in demand. Regions that have traditionally been less central have experienced significant growth in visitor arrivals, while historically dynamic areas have consolidated their appeal through improvements in infrastructure, sustainability, and service quality. This diversification not only strengthens local economies, but also helps relieve pressure on the most saturated destinations during peak seasons, contributing to a more balanced and sustainable management of the tourism phenomenon.

The Minister of Industry and Tourism has stressed that these results reflect not only Spain’s cultural, natural, and gastronomic appeal, but also the capacity for strategic adaptation by companies and public administrations in the face of a changing global context. Among the priorities identified for the future are strengthening environmental sustainability, improving international connectivity, and intensifying promotion in long-haul markets such as the United States and countries in Latin America, which have shown notable increases in visitor numbers.

Preliminary figures and sector trends also suggest that 2026 could consolidate another phase of growth, with forecasts pointing to surpassing 100 million international visitors if the conditions of connectivity, competitiveness, and attractiveness that have characterized Spanish tourism in recent years are maintained. This outlook, however, also raises challenges related to infrastructure capacity, the need for balanced pricing policies, and the management of tourist pressure in areas with high demand, especially during high season.

Overall, tourism results in 2025 represent a new historic record for Spain, highlighting the sector’s role as an essential pillar of the national economy, with a positive impact on employment, business activity, and the balance of payments. The strength of these indicators underscores that the country remains one of the preferred destinations for millions of tourists worldwide and that strategies focused on promotion, quality, and diversification are delivering tangible results.

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