Spain received more than 82.8 million international tourists during the first ten months of 2024, representing an increase of 10.8% compared to the same period in 2023. Of this total, 68.12 million arrived by air (+11.2%). This aligns with the large number of new routes airlines have inaugurated so far in 2024, some of which are unprecedented.
According to the latest data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), the total spending by international tourists reached 110 billion euros through October, surpassing the 2023 spending record (108 billion euros).
In October, international tourists’ spending amounted to 11.898 billion euros, a 15.5% increase compared to the same month last year. Arrivals also grew by 9.5%, with more than 8.9 million international visitors. According to the agency, each tourist spent an average of 1,327 euros in October, 5.5% more than in 2023, and daily spending per visitor also increased by 2.9%, reaching 191 euros.
7.48 million tourists arrived by air, a figure 7.75% higher than in October 2023, while 1.18 million arrived by road (+7.75%), 265,000 by sea (+30.68%), and 27,000 by rail (-2.53%).
This growth, according to the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism, reflects the effectiveness of tourism deconcentration policies implemented by the government. In regions outside the six main destinations, the increase in tourists was 19.5%, while spending in these areas grew by 26.2%.
Year-to-date, international tourists’ spending grew by 16.8%, underscoring the sector’s recovery following the pandemic. Visitor numbers also continue to rise, nearing 85 million tourists for all of 2023, a milestone that could be surpassed by the end of 2024.
Increase in tourists and spending from main source markets
The United Kingdom remains the leading source of tourists to Spain, with 16.5 million travelers through October, growing by 7.1%. In October, British tourists spent 2.129 billion euros, a 10.4% increase compared to the same month in 2023.
Germany and France follow, with 1.3 million and 1.2 million tourists respectively in October, representing increases of 14% and 16.7%. Germans, the second-highest spenders in Spain, spent 1.667 billion euros, a 23.5% increase. Meanwhile, the French spent 921 million euros, 16.3% more than in October 2023.
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Deconcentration of tourist destinations
Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Andalusia continue to be the most visited autonomous communities, although tourism deconcentration policies appear to be bearing fruit. In October, tourist arrivals to regions outside the six main destinations (Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Andalusia, Canary Islands, Madrid, and Valencia) grew by 19.5%. This phenomenon reflects the success of strategies to promote less traditional destinations, as highlighted by the ministry.
In terms of spending, the Balearic Islands accounted for 17.9% of total spending in October, followed by Catalonia (17.6%) and the Canary Islands (15.9%). Spending in the Balearic Islands grew by 22.1%, 9.7% in Catalonia, and 7.7% in the Canary Islands. In the first ten months of 2024, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands remain the regions with the highest accumulated spending, jointly accounting for 53.5% of the total.
The increase in spending in regions outside the main destinations has also been significant, with a 26.2% rise, showcasing how deconcentration policies are positively impacting the tourism sector.
