Spain’s tourism industry has rebounded with remarkable strength in 2024, as the country welcomed 42.5 million tourists in the first half of the year.
This figure represents an 11.5% increase over the same period in 2019, prior to the pandemic, and a 13.28% rise compared to 2023.
The latest data, released by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE), highlights a significant milestone in Spain’s recovery as a leading global tourist destination.
Surge in Tourist Spending
The influx of visitors has been accompanied by a notable increase in tourist expenditure. In the first six months of 2024, tourists spent a total of €55.57 billion, a 20.6% increase from last year and a 38% rise compared to 2019.
If this trend continues, Spain is projected to close the year with 96 million tourists and a record expenditure of €131 billion. However, industry experts anticipate a slight moderation in growth during the second half of the year, suggesting that while the growth rate might slow, the overall trend remains positive.
Leading Source Markets: The United Kingdom, Germany, and France
As usual, the United Kingdom remained the largest source of tourists, with 8.4 million British visitors arriving in Spain during the first half of 2024. This number marks a 10.14% increase from the same period in 2023 and a slight 2.4% increase over 2019. While these figures show significant growth, they fall short of the 8.6 million British tourists recorded in 2017.
Germany and France followed as the second and third largest source markets, contributing 5.5 million and 5.4 million visitors, respectively. Both countries surpassed their previous records for the first six months of the year, with Germany’s highest being 5.4 million in 2017 and France’s being 4.8 million in 2023.
Notable Growth from Other Markets
In addition to the traditional strongholds, Spain saw significant growth from other countries as well. Ireland sent 100,000 more tourists than last year, bringing the total to 1.3 million. Italy contributed an additional 400,000 visitors, totaling 2.4 million, and the Netherlands added 300,000 more tourists, reaching 2.1 million.
Furthermore, the conglomerate category ‘rest of Europe,’ which includes Russia due to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, saw an increase of 700,000 visitors, totaling 4.3 million. The United States also saw a significant rise, with 200,000 more tourists, reaching 2 million visitors. Additionally, 200,000 more tourists arrived from the ‘rest of America,’ also totaling 2 million, and Belgium added 250,000 more visitors, reaching 1.3 million. Each of these figures surpasses last year’s record highs for these countries.
June’s Performance: A Strong Start to Summer
June 2024 was a particularly strong month for Spain, with 9.3 million international visitors arriving—a 5.4% increase over June 2019 and a 12.10% rise compared to June 2023. These tourists contributed €12.37 billion to the economy, reflecting a 16.6% year-on-year growth and a 27.7% increase compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
On average, each tourist spent €1,329 during their stay, representing a 4% increase from last year. Daily spending also grew by 1.9%, reaching €196. The majority of tourists stayed in Spain for 4 to 7 nights, with this duration seeing an interannual increase of 10%, totaling nearly 4.7 million visitors.
Industry Outlook: Sustaining Growth in the Second Half
As Spain moves into the second half of 2024, the tourism industry remains optimistic about sustaining the strong growth momentum. While a moderation in growth is expected, the overall outlook remains positive, with continued high levels of international arrivals and robust tourist spending.
The resurgence of Spain’s tourism industry is not only a testament to its enduring appeal but also an indication of the global travel market’s recovery. As the country continues to attract millions of visitors from around the world, it remains one of the top destinations for international travelers, offering a diverse array of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
