Spain’s 97 Million Tourists Spent €135 Billion in Country

Spain welcomed a record 97 million foreign tourists in 2025, cementing its position as one of the world’s most visited destinations for the second consecutive year, according to preliminary government data released on Thursday.

Tourist arrivals rose 3.5% from 2024, while visitor spending climbed at a faster pace, increasing 6.8% to €135 billion ($157 billion), Spain’s Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu told a press conference in Madrid. The figures mark a new benchmark for the country’s tourism-driven economy.

“This is a collective success for the entire country and clear proof of Spain’s strong global appeal,” Hereu said. “Spain is a country that fascinates the world.”

Tourism accounts for roughly 13% of Spain’s economy, making it a key engine of growth in Europe’s second-most-visited country after France. The sector’s post-pandemic rebound has played a central role in Spain’s recovery from years of austerity and high debt following the eurozone crisis of the early 2010s.

The Bank of Spain expects the Spanish economy to grow 2.9% in 2025, more than double the average growth forecast for the euro area, with tourism once again outperforming other sectors.

Most visitors came from Europe, with tourists from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France accounting for nearly half of total arrivals, according to Pedro Aznar, a professor at ESADE Business School.

The sharper rise in spending compared with arrivals suggests that tourists are staying longer or spending more per visit, reinforcing Spain’s strategy of attracting higher-value tourism. The country’s diverse offering, ranging from culture and gastronomy to beach destinations and luxury travel, has helped sustain demand despite broader economic uncertainty in Europe.

Yet the tourism boom has also intensified social and political tensions. Like other southern European destinations, Spain is grappling with a growing backlash against overtourism, particularly as the country faces a persistent housing crisis.

Thousands of residents protested throughout 2025, voicing frustration over the impact of mass tourism on local communities, especially in hotspots such as Barcelona, southern Andalusia, and the Canary and Balearic Islands.

While tourism growth generates jobs and wealth, “large visitor numbers clearly affect local residents in certain destinations,” Aznar said, noting that short-term tourist rentals are often more profitable than long-term housing.

In response, cities including Barcelona and Málaga have introduced measures to curb short-term tourist rentals. The left-wing government has also ordered major online platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com to remove tens of thousands of listings deemed to violate short-term rental regulations.

Environmental concerns are adding another layer of pressure. Spain continues to face strain on water resources and has only recently emerged from a prolonged drought, underscoring the sustainability challenges posed by record tourism flows.