Spain’s language tourism industry has achieved a significant milestone in 2024, with more than 158,000 students traveling to Spain to learn Spanish.
This influx of learners contributed an impressive €454 million to the Spanish economy, reflecting the growing importance of language as a driver for tourism.
At the heart of this achievement is FITUR Lingua, a specialized section of the renowned FITUR tourism fair, organized in collaboration with FEDELE (the Spanish Federation of Schools of Spanish as a Foreign Language). The event highlighted the theme “Language as a Tourism Asset: Challenges and Trends” and provided a platform for professionals, institutions, and companies to discuss the strategic pillars needed to sustain the industry’s growth.
According to a report shared at FITUR Lingua, federated Spanish schools hosted 158,800 students in 2024, an 11.42% increase from 2023. These students, hailing primarily from Germany, Italy, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom, spent a total of 631,469 weeks in Spain, averaging nearly four weeks per stay. This growing trend underscores the appeal of Spain not only as a cultural hub but also as a premier destination for language education.
The broader context of language tourism in Spain was also explored. In 2023, over 600,000 international students pursued various educational programs in the country, generating an economic impact exceeding €6 billion. Such numbers highlight Spain’s global appeal as an educational destination and its ability to integrate language learning with cultural immersion.
Eva Laguna, President of FEDELE, emphasized the robust state of the industry, noting the sector’s significant growth and the critical role of Spanish teachers in promoting the language worldwide. She also pointed to the future, with projections suggesting that by 2030, 600 million people globally will speak Spanish—a milestone closely tied to tourism and education initiatives.
David Trigo, FEDELE’s General Manager, confirmed that “2024 was a record-breaking year in terms of student numbers and their economic impact.” He added that “FITUR Lingua has been a key driver for the growth of the language tourism sector.”
Daniel Escalona, FEDELE’s Marketing Director, presented a sector report showing that federated schools hosted 158,800 students in 2024, an 11.42% increase from 2023. “The primary markets remain Germany, Italy, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom, which account for a third of the centers. Students spent a total of 631,469 weeks at our schools, averaging 3.97 weeks per student. Digital enrollment reached 7,061 students. The economic footprint reached €454 million, including all expenses incurred by students in Spain.”
FITUR Lingua further announced the Fourth Spanish Language Week, scheduled to take place from October 1-5, 2025, in Logroño and San Millán de la Cogolla. This event, organized with the support of local and regional governments, aims to blend cultural, scenic, and gastronomic experiences with language learning, enhancing its appeal for visitors.
The event also facilitated discussions on improving tourism services for language students and showcased successful examples from other countries. Panels covered topics such as the strategic importance of public policies, the role of big data in understanding student behaviors, and best practices for attracting international learners. Experts agreed on the need for more comprehensive data collection and collaboration to ensure the continued growth of the sector.
