Spain experienced a record-breaking surge in tourism in 2024, welcoming over 64.3 million international visitors in the first eight months of the year.
According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), this represents an 11.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Alongside this surge in tourist numbers, spending by international visitors also saw a significant rise, jumping 17.6% to reach €86.47 billion by the end of August.
During August alone, Spain received 10.9 million international tourists, which is 7.3% more than in the same month last year. The increase in tourist arrivals was consistent with July’s figures, bringing the combined total of these two peak summer months to 21.7 million foreign tourists—accounting for 33% of Spain’s international arrivals between January and August.
Expenditure by these tourists in August totaled €15.36 billion, showing a 13% rise compared to August 2023. The average expenditure per tourist stood at €1,405, marking a 5.3% increase year-on-year, while average daily spending also grew by 8.8%, reaching €188.
The United Kingdom, France, and Germany were the leading source markets for international tourists visiting Spain in the first eight months of 2024. The United Kingdom topped the list, contributing nearly 12.7 million tourists, a 7.8% rise from the same period in 2023. France followed with 9.2 million tourists (+10.1%), while Germany sent over 8 million visitors (+9.3%).
Spain’s autonomous communities showed diverse patterns of growth during this period. Catalonia remained the most visited region, welcoming 13.7 million tourists, an increase of 9.7% over the previous year. The Balearic Islands followed with 11.2 million tourists (+6.2%), while the Canary Islands received 9.9 million visitors (+10.3%).
In terms of growth rates, Valencia and Madrid saw the most substantial increases. Valencia recorded a 17.4% rise in tourist numbers, with 8.2 million international visitors arriving in the region up to August. Madrid experienced a similar trend, with 5.8 million tourists representing a 17% increase compared to the same period last year.
The high number of tourist arrivals has significantly boosted tourism employment, supporting job growth in Spain.
Catalonia’s tourism performance was particularly noteworthy in August, attracting 2,287,846 international tourists—a 6.2% increase from August 2023. Expenditure in the region reached €3.06 billion, up 8.8% year-on-year.
The average daily expenditure by tourists in Catalonia stood at €213, reflecting a 6.63% rise compared to August 2023, while the average length of stay was 6.28 days. On a per capita basis, tourists in Catalonia spent an average of €1,336, showing a 2.42% increase from the previous year.
The Balearic Islands led in terms of the proportion of international tourists in August, capturing 22.38% of the total arrivals in Spain. Catalonia followed with 20.93%, and Andalusia came third with 14.66% of the total tourist arrivals during the month.
Overall, Spain’s tourism sector continued its robust recovery and growth trajectory in 2024. With record-breaking visitor numbers and increased spending, the country is set to reinforce its position as a global tourism leader by the end of the year.
