Spain has shattered its tourism record, welcoming 94 million international visitors in 2024, a remarkable 10% increase compared to the previous year.
This surge underscores the nation’s resilience and strategic efforts to elevate the quality and diversity of its tourism offerings.
The record-setting year also brought an unprecedented €126 billion in expenditure by foreign tourists, marking a 16% rise, according to government estimates shared by Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu.
The post-pandemic recovery has not only surpassed pre-Covid figures but continues to accelerate. After a stark decline to 31 million visitors in 2021, Spain rebounded strongly with 71.5 million visitors in 2022, followed by 85 million in 2023. This upward trajectory reflects a shift towards more sustainable and diverse tourism practices.
Looking ahead, the government anticipates breaking the elusive 100 million visitor mark in 2025, although Minister Hereu remains cautious. “I see it possible, yes. I am not obsessed with it. I will be just as happy being a little above as being a little below,” he commented, emphasizing quality over quantity.
Key to this growth has been Spain’s focus on curating a better tourism experience. The government’s measures to regulate the supply of illegal tourist apartments and combat over-tourism have been pivotal. “We want less quantity to improve quality,” Hereu noted, highlighting the need to balance benefits across communities and minimize tourism-related externalities.
Spain’s tourism strategy also includes a focus on deseasonalization, which has driven visitor numbers during traditionally quieter months. Cultural, gastronomic, and inland destinations have seen significant growth, reflecting a shift away from the traditional ‘sun and beach’ holiday model. Long-haul markets, including travelers from the USA, Latin America, and China, have further bolstered the sector’s expansion, contributing to higher-value tourism.
With 26 million tourists expected in the first four months of 2025 alone and spending projected to grow 16% during the same period, Spain’s tourism momentum shows no signs of slowing. The government’s emphasis on diversification, deconcentration, and sustainability suggests that future growth will prioritize enriching experiences for visitors while distributing economic benefits more evenly across the nation.
As Spain prepares to set new records, it continues to redefine what it means to be a world-class destination.
