Spain had its biggest year for tourism since records began in 2024, with 94 million foreign visitors, marking an increase of 10% from the previous year.
This achievement strengthens Spain’s standing as one of the top vacation destinations in the world and surpasses the pre-pandemic peak of 2019.
According to the U.N. World Tourism Barometer, Spain is the second most popular travel destination in the world, behind France.
Spain Tourism: Shift to Domestic Tourism
As tourism has recovered globally, it was Spain’s second record-breaking year since 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped international leisure travel.
In addition to its traditional appeal of sun and beach holidays, Spain saw significant growth in cultural and gastronomic tourism. Cultural trips increased by 32%, and gastronomic experiences attracted 28% more visitors compared to 2019.
This shift highlights Spain’s rich heritage and its efforts to offer a wider range of experiences to tourists.
Restrictions on foreign travel led to a rise in domestic travel in Spain during the COVID pandemic. This did not, however, quite make up for the decline of foreign tourists, particularly in popular travel locations like Barcelona, Madrid, and the Balearic Islands.
Tourist Expenditure and Impact on economy
Spain’s tourism industry saw tremendous expansion in 2024, bringing in over €126 billion from foreign visitors, a 16% increase over the €108.7 billion earned in 2023.
The 16% increase in visitor expenditure highlights how popular Spain’s many attractions are becoming and how well its tourism policies are working.
Jordi Hereu, the minister of tourism, emphasized that these profits outweigh the rise in tourists, highlighting the significance of quality over quantity in the travel industry.
Notable Shift in geographical and seasonal distribution
In 2024, there was a noticeable change in the geographic and seasonal distribution of tourists in Spain, moving away from the classic tourist destinations of Barcelona, the Mediterranean coast, and the Canary Islands.
Inland areas of Spain, like the picturesque Pyrenees, the medieval towns of Castile and León, and the Andalusian cultural heritage sites, saw a sharp rise in tourists.
By reducing the strain on the most visited locations and boosting the economies of communities that had historically received fewer tourists, this diversification contributed to the development of a more balanced tourism environment.
By guaranteeing a more steady flow of work for hospitality employees, this change not only helped stabilize employment in the sector but also enhanced the tourism industry’s overall viability with 2.6 million employees.
Local towns profited from a more equitable distribution of economic activity as a result of fewer tourists congregating during the summer, which helped the industry flourish over the long run.
Spanish Government’s initiatives to lookout out for the tourism industry
In response to the growing challenges of increased tourism, the Spanish government is taking steps to promote sustainable and high-quality tourism.
These efforts include diversifying the range of tourist experiences, so visitors can enjoy more than just the well-known destinations.
The government is also regulating accommodations to prevent housing shortages in popular areas, ensuring that locals aren’t displaced by an influx of tourists.
Additionally, there is a focus on encouraging environmentally friendly practices across the tourism sector.
These initiatives aim to strike a balance between the economic benefits of tourism and the well-being of local communities while also protecting the environment.
By promoting sustainable tourism, Spain hopes to create a long-term, responsible tourism model that benefits everyone involved.
