International tourism continues to be a key driver of Spain’s economy. In January 2025, the total expenditure by international tourists visiting Spain reached €7.132 billion, marking an 8.9% increase compared to the same month in the previous year.
The average spending per tourist stood at €1,408, reflecting a 2.7% increase, while the average daily spending rose by 4.3% to €165.
Top source markets
British tourists were the highest spenders in Spain, accounting for 15.4% of the total expenditure. They were followed by German visitors (11.1%) and tourists from the Nordic countries (8.7%). Notably, spending from Nordic travelers grew by 12.8%, followed by a 6.0% increase from German tourists and 2.5% from British visitors.
Spending distribution and accommodation types
The main categories of tourist spending were:
- Tourist activities, accounting for 23.7% of total spending (+10.3%).
- International transport (not included in package tours), with 22.3% (+9.6%).
- Food and dining, representing 16.3% (+7.8%).
More than half of the total expenditure (53.7%) was allocated to hotel accommodations, which saw a 9.4% increase. Meanwhile, spending on non-market accommodations rose by 12.7%.
Top regions benefiting from tourism spending
The regions receiving the highest tourism expenditure were:
- Canary Islands, with 30.4% of the total (+8.2%).
- Madrid Region, with 19.5% (+19.8%).
- Catalonia, with 15.4% (+4.5%).
Leisure travelers accounted for 81.1% of total spending, with their expenditure rising by 9.8% compared to January 2024.
These figures highlight a strong start to the year for Spain’s tourism sector, reinforcing its crucial role in the economy and underlining the country’s continued appeal to international visitors.
Source: INE