International Visitors Spend More Than €13.5 Billion in Spain in May - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

International tourists spent €13.553 billion in Spain in May 2026, an increase of 10.9% compared with the same month last year, according to the latest figures released by the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE). During the month, Spain welcomed more than 10.3 million international visitors, representing a year-on-year increase of 9.5%.

The latest data confirm the continuing trend of tourism spending growing faster than visitor numbers, reflecting the increasing economic contribution of international tourism to Spain.

Tourism spending exceeds €50 billion in the first five months

Between January and May 2026, international visitors spent a total of €50.257 billion, up 7.8% compared with the same period in 2025.

During the same period, Spain received more than 36.8 million international tourists, an increase of 5% year on year.

United Kingdom remains the largest source market by expenditure

The United Kingdom generated the highest tourism expenditure in May, accounting for 18.5% of the total and recording an annual increase of 6.2%.

It was followed by Germany, representing 11.1% of total spending with growth of 13.4%, while France accounted for 7.8% of expenditure, up 7.2%.

Among the main source markets, Italy recorded the strongest increase in spending, rising by 26.2% compared with May 2025.

In terms of visitor arrivals, the United Kingdom also remained Spain's largest inbound market with 2.2 million visitors, an increase of 6.1%. France followed with 1.3 million visitors (+11.1%), while Germany also contributed 1.3 million visitors, up 9%.

Visitor spending continues to rise faster than arrivals

The May figures reinforce a trend that has been evident for several years: tourism expenditure is increasing at a faster pace than international arrivals.

In May, total visitor spending grew 1.4 percentage points faster than the number of international tourists.

Average expenditure per visitor reached €1,321, an increase of 1.2% compared with May 2025. Average daily spending also continued to rise, increasing by 1.7% to €214.

The most common length of stay remained four to seven nights, accounting for almost 5.4 million visitors, an increase of 14.1% year on year. More than 7.5 million tourists travelled without purchasing a package holiday, up 8% from a year earlier.

Catalonia remains Spain's leading destination

Catalonia was the most visited destination in May, attracting 21.1% of all international tourists. It was followed by the Balearic Islands with 20.6% and Andalusia with 15.9%.

Compared with May 2025, international arrivals increased by 13.1% in Catalonia, 5.2% in the Balearic Islands and 12.7% in Andalusia.

Measured by growth rate, however, the Community of Madrid recorded the strongest performance, welcoming 17.4% more international visitors than in the same month last year.

Tourism expenditure showed a similar pattern. Catalonia accounted for 19.1% of total visitor spending in May, ahead of the Balearic Islands (18.9%) and the Community of Madrid (16%). Spending increased by 13.1% in Catalonia, 9.2% in the Balearic Islands and 22.2% in Madrid compared with the previous year.

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration