Spain welcomed an impressive 9.6 million international tourists in September, marking a 9.1% increase compared to the same month last year.
The surge brings the total number of visitors for the first nine months of 2024 to over 73.9 million, a notable 10% increase year-on-year and 8.1% higher than the previous all-time high recorded in 2019.
Tourist spending reached a remarkable €99.1 billion in this period, a 16.9% rise from 2023, including €12.6 billion in September alone, which represents a 12.7% growth.
The largest share of tourists came from the United Kingdom, with over 14.7 million visitors, reflecting a 7.4% increase. France followed closely with nearly 10.3 million visitors, up 10.5%, and Germany recorded around 9.4 million, an 8% rise. American tourists also contributed significantly to the growth, with visitors from the United States up 12.5% (3.3 million visitors) and a 10.4% increase from other parts of the Americas, totaling 3.9 million tourists.
Other European countries showed notable increases as well, including Italy (up 12.5% to 4.2 million), the Netherlands (up 12.3% to 3.8 million), and Ireland (up 12.8% to 2.2 million), with Belgium leading with a 15.3% increase, reaching 2.5 million visitors.
Among the Spanish regions, the Balearic Islands attracted the most tourists in September, with 2.1 million arrivals, accounting for 22.4% of the national total. Catalonia and Andalusia followed, with 2 million (21.2%) and 1.4 million (15.0%) visitors, respectively.
These regions also saw growth compared to September 2023, with tourist arrivals rising by 4.2% in the Balearic Islands, 11.8% in Catalonia, and 10.3% in Andalusia. However, only Catalonia has yet to exceed pre-pandemic numbers cumulatively for the first nine months, with 15.7 million foreign visitors so far, slightly trailing its 2017 record of 15.8 million.
In terms of spending, the Balearic Islands led the way in September with 21.4% of the total expenditure by tourists, followed by Catalonia at 19.6% and Andalusia at 15.0%. Year-on-year, spending increased by 7.6% in the Balearic Islands, 15.9% in Catalonia, and 16.5% in Andalusia. For the entire year to date, Catalonia ranks first with 19.1% of total spending, followed by the Balearic Islands at 17.5% and the Canary Islands at 16.7%.
Spain’s record-breaking tourism figures underscore the country’s enduring appeal to international travelers. With continuous growth across multiple regions and a substantial increase in spending, Spain remains a leading global destination, combining cultural richness, diverse attractions, and vibrant experiences that draw visitors from all over the world.
