Tourism in Spain continues to be one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy. In December 2024, the total spending by international tourists reached €7.589 billion, representing a 7.0% increase compared to the same month in the previous year. This growth reflects the ongoing trust and appeal Spain holds for international travelers.
In addition to the overall growth in spending, the average daily expenditure per tourist also saw a significant rise. In December, this figure increased by 6.4%, reaching €159, highlighting the willingness of visitors to invest in experiences and services during their stay in the country.
On an annual basis, total spending by international tourists in Spain during 2024 exceeded €126 billion, a 16.1% growth compared to 2023. Notably, the average spend per tourist reached €1,441, a 5.9% increase from the previous year, underscoring the trend towards higher-quality tourism visiting Spain.
The leading source countries for spending in December were the United Kingdom, accounting for 14.5% of the total spending, followed by Germany (12.5%) and the Nordic countries (8.3%). German tourists saw the largest increase in spending, with a 20.4% rise, followed by tourists from the Nordic countries, whose spending grew by 14.1%.
Spending on activities was the most significant category in December, representing 23.8% of the total spending, with a 7.3% increase compared to 2023. It was followed by spending on international transportation (20.2%) and accommodation (17.0%), with increases of 9.4% and 14.3%, respectively.
Regarding accommodation types, more than half of the total spending in December was by tourists staying in hotel accommodations, with a 7.2% growth. Tourists who traveled without a package holiday spent more, with a 10.3% annual increase, in contrast to those who traveled with a package, whose spending decreased by 4.9%.
The main reason for travel remains leisure, with 76.4% of total spending allocated to this type of tourism. As for the autonomous communities, the Canary Islands attracted the highest share of spending, accounting for 29.5% of the total, followed by Catalonia (17.2%) and the Community of Madrid (15.2%). In 2024, tourism spending reached record figures in these regions, with sustained growth in both the Canary Islands and Catalonia.
With a positive outlook, international tourism in Spain continues to be a key driver for the country’s economy, and it is expected that this growth will persist throughout 2025, reinforcing Spain’s position as a global tourism leader.
Source: INE