Forecasts for 2025 indicate steady, although slower, growth in the arrival of international tourists to Spain, while domestic travel by residents is expected to remain stable. According to an estimate by Segittur for the first quarter of the year, Spain could welcome more than 26 million international tourists, representing a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Additionally, domestic trips by residents could reach around 48 million.
Although the figures show a continuation of tourism growth, the pace of this increase is expected to slow. Tourism’s contribution to Spain’s national GDP is projected to reach 13.5% in 2025—its highest historical level—surpassing the 13.1% forecast for 2024. International tourist spending would also see a 16% rise, exceeding 36 billion euros in the first quarter.
Key Drivers of Growth
Several factors support this growth, including the full recovery of pre-pandemic global tourism, Spain’s strong presence in international forecasts, and a growing global interest in travel. According to SkyScanner, 80% of travelers plan to take the same number or more international trips than in 2024.
Spain: A Global Destination of Interest
Spain ranked as the second most searched country on Google for tourism in 2024, just behind the United States and well ahead of competitors such as France, Italy, and Turkey. Madrid emerged as the third most sought-after city globally and the top in Europe for accommodation and flight searches. Alicante and Barcelona also ranked among the European cities with the highest growth in travel interest.
Forecasts suggest that the Mediterranean region, especially the Balearic Islands and the Valencian Community, will lead the increase in international arrivals, with growth rates exceeding 10%. Madrid, Barcelona, major Andalusian cities, and the Canary Islands are also expected to see significant improvements in 2025.
Gastronomy, Climate, and Economic Cost: Key Factors in Choosing Spain
The report “Horizons: Spending, Planning, and Destination Perspectives for 2025” highlights gastronomy and climate as decisive factors for more than 60% of tourists choosing Spain. While economic cost is an important factor globally, it has a lower impact when selecting Spain, ranking about 5% below the global average.
Social Media and Travel Guides: Main Sources of Travel Inspiration
SkyScanner points out that social media and word-of-mouth recommendations are key sources of inspiration for nearly half of international trips. Interestingly, in Spain’s case, online media influence only 18% of trips, whereas travel guides play a more significant role, inspiring 45% of visits.
With these projections, Spain is set to remain a leading global tourist destination in 2025, maintaining its worldwide appeal and offering new opportunities for continued growth in the tourism sector.
Source: SEGITTUR