International tourists spend 23.5 billion euros in Spain in the first quarter of 2025, 7.2% more than a year ago

The first quarter of 2025 has once again produced record figures for spending and visitors to Spain. According to data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), total spending by international tourists reached 23.5 billion euros up to March, representing an increase of 7.2% compared to the same period in 2024.

Likewise, the number of foreign tourists arriving in Spain in the first quarter of 2025 was 17.1 million, an increase of 5.7% compared to the same period of the previous year.

By spending, in these first three months of 2025, the United Kingdom was the country with the highest cumulative spending (15.9% of the total), followed by Germany (12.3%) and the Nordic countries (8.8%).

In terms of visitors, the main source countries in the first quarter were the United Kingdom (with more than 3.1 million and an increase of 4.6%), France (with more than 2.1 million and an increase of 7.1%) and Germany (with almost 2.1 million, 0.1% less).

The data confirms that the growth in spending at destination continues to outstrip the increase in the number of arrivals, which, according to the Minister for Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, "is a clear indication of the change in the tourism model that we want to consolidate in Spain."

"The ministry will continue to work to provide the tourism sector with great added value. We want to maintain our international leadership in order to be a benchmark for the tourism model of triple social, environmental and economic sustainability. This involves deconcentrating destinations, diversifying experiences and products, deseasonalising, digitalising and redistributing the benefits in the territories," Hereu stated.

Growth in arrivals and out-of-season spending

Specifically, 6.6 million foreign tourists arrived in Spain in March, spending more than 9.1 billion euros. In year-on-year terms, both spending (+5.6%) and arrivals (+3.8%) grew.

By market and region, Italy was the one that grew the most in March (27.7%) among the main source countries; and Andalusia, the one that experienced the greatest increase (10.2%) among the main destination regions.

In March, moreover, each visitor spent an average of 1,382 euros, an annual growth of 1.7%, and the average spend per day grew by 4.5% to 188 euros. The majority of tourists - almost 3.3 million - stayed between four and seven nights, with an annual increase of 3.2%.

Italy, the fastest growing market

In March, the United Kingdom was the leading source country of visitors, with 1.2 million visitors and a 3.6% increase compared to the same month last year. In terms of spending at destination, UK citizens spent 1.436 billion euros in Spain in March, 5.7% more than in the same month in 2024.

In second place, 896,441 tourists arrived from Germany in March. This is a decrease of 1.4% year-on-year. Spending by German tourists amounted to 1.279 billion euros, 5.9% higher than in March of the previous year.

France, on the other hand, decreased 3.5% compared to March 2024, with 763,153 international tourists. Even so, they spent 8.3% more than in the same period last year; 649 million euros.

It is worth highlighting the growth of Italian visitors, which increased 27.7% year-on-year, as well as their spending, which increased 25%.

The Canary Islands, top destination in March

In terms of autonomous communities, the Canary Islands was the main destination for tourists in March, with more than 1.5 million and 23.6% of the total. This was followed by Catalonia, with around 1.4 million (20.8%) and Andalusia, with one million international visitors (16.0%).

A total of 0.9% more tourists arrived in the Canary Islands than in March 2024. The number of tourists visiting Catalonia and Andalusia increased by 1.0% and 10.2%, respectively.

In terms of spending, the main destination autonomous communities with the greatest weight in tourist spending in March were the Canary Islands (with 26.6% of the total), Andalusia (17.5%) and Catalonia (15.8%).

Tourist spending increased 4.5% in annual rate in the Canary Islands, to 2.429 billion euros, and 9.5% in Andalusia, with 1.593 billion euros. In Catalonia it fell 3.4%, with a total of 1.441 billion euros.

Non official translation