International Visitors Expected to Spend Nearly €64 Billion in Spain This Summer

International

Tourism spending is forecast to outpace visitor growth again as Spain prepares for another record summer season

International tourism in Spain is expected to reach new highs this summer, with foreign visitors projected to spend nearly €64 billion between June and September. According to forecasts by Turespaña, around 43 million international tourists will visit the country during the four-month period, representing a 6% increase compared with summer 2025, while tourism expenditure is expected to grow by 10%.

Tourism spending continues to outpace visitor growth

Presenting the latest projections, Spain's Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, highlighted the resilience of the country's tourism industry despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and global economic challenges.

According to the minister, the continued growth in visitor spending, which once again exceeds the increase in tourist arrivals, demonstrates the success of Spain's long-term strategy to transform its tourism model. The approach is based on improving quality, sustainability and competitiveness rather than focusing solely on visitor numbers.

Tourism Strategy 2030 drives transformation

Hereu underlined that the implementation of the Spain Tourism Strategy 2030, introduced at the end of 2025, together with €3.4 billion invested through the Tourism Sector Modernisation and Competitiveness Plan, has strengthened the country's tourism offering and enhanced its international competitiveness.

"Spain remains a benchmark for sustainable tourism. Preserving and even strengthening our international appeal is excellent news because tourism continues to be one of the country's main engines of growth and prosperity. Our objective is not only to grow, but to do so through a model based on economic, social and environmental sustainability," the minister said.

Growth spreads beyond traditional destinations

The latest forecasts also point to a continuing geographical diversification of international tourism. Regions that have traditionally attracted fewer foreign visitors are expected to record stronger growth in tourism spending than Spain's six leading destinations—Andalusia, Madrid, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

According to Turespaña, expenditure in these emerging destinations is projected to increase by between 8% and 10% during the summer months, compared with growth of between 5% and 6% in the country's main tourism regions.

Positive momentum continues in 2026

The positive outlook follows strong results during the first five months of the year. By the end of May, international visitor spending had reached more than €50.2 billion, an increase of 7.8% year-on-year, while Spain welcomed more than 36 million foreign tourists, up 5% compared with the same period in 2025.

Employment in tourism has also continued to strengthen, with more than three million people now working in the sector and temporary employment falling below the average for the Spanish economy.

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, Hereu expressed confidence that Spain remains well positioned compared with competing European destinations. He stressed that maintaining international air connectivity and supporting peaceful international cooperation will remain essential for the continued success of the country's tourism industry.