Spain has kicked off 2025 with a tourism boom, drawing 17.1 million international visitors and raking in a record-breaking €23.5 billion in spending during the first quarter—marking a 7.2% increase from last year.
This surge highlights a shift toward higher-value tourism, as average spending outpaces visitor growth.
Tourist spending hits new heights
International tourists spent a total of €23.5 billion in Spain during the first quarter of 2025, marking a 7.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The data, published by Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), shows not only a rebound in travel but a sharp shift toward higher-quality, more sustainable tourism.
Spain welcomed 17.1 million foreign tourists from January to March, a 5.7% year-on-year increase. However, spending rose faster than visitor numbers, a sign that each tourist is spending more than before.
This pattern strengthens Spain’s effort to move away from mass tourism and instead focus on high-value, sustainable travel.
UK leads in spending, Italy grows fastest
Travelers from the United Kingdom led in overall spending, contributing 15.9% of the total amount in the first quarter. They were followed by tourists from Germany (12.3%) and Nordic countries (8.8%).
In March alone, UK visitors spent over €1.4 billion, a 5.7% increase compared to March 2024.
However, it was Italy that made the most impressive leap. Italian tourist arrivals jumped 27.7%, and their spending surged 25%.
This sharp growth outpaced all other major source markets and highlights a shift in European travel preferences.
Despite fewer visitors from France (down 3.5%) and Germany (down 1.4%) in March, both markets increased their spending.
French tourists spent €649 million, an 8.3% rise, while German travelers spent €1.279 billion, up 5.9%.
Canary Islands, Catalonia, Andalusia draw crowds
Spain’s sunny destinations continued to shine in March. The Canary Islands stood out as the most popular region, drawing 1.5 million tourists, or 23.6% of the total.
Close behind were Catalonia with 1.4 million (20.8%), and Andalusia with one million (16%).
Tourist numbers grew fastest in Andalusia, which saw a 10.2% increase in arrivals. The Canary Islands also grew, though more modestly, by 0.9%. Catalonia’s increase stood at 1%.
These regions also benefited from a boost in spending. In March:
- Canary Islands tourists spent €2.43 billion, up 4.5%
- Andalusia saw €1.593 billion in spending, up 9.5%
- Catalonia recorded €1.441 billion, though this marked a 3.4% drop
Tourists stay longer, spend more
In March, each international tourist spent an average of €1,382, up 1.7% from the year before. Daily spending rose even faster, increasing 4.5% to €188 per person.
Most tourists – nearly 3.3 million – stayed between four and seven nights, a 3.2% increase over March 2024. These figures suggest that visitors are not only spending more but also staying longer.
Spain shifts toward smarter tourism
Spain’s Minister for Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, emphasized the country’s commitment to transforming its tourism model.
“The ministry will continue to work to provide the tourism sector with great added value,” he said. “We want to maintain our international leadership in order to be a benchmark for the tourism model of triple social, environmental and economic sustainability.”
Hereu added that the government aims to:
- Deconcentrate destinations, easing the pressure on overcrowded areas
- Diversify tourism experiences across lesser-known regions
- Spread tourism beyond peak seasons
- Invest in digital tools to improve traveler experience
- Distribute tourism revenue more fairly across Spain
This model focuses not just on numbers, but on long-term quality and resilience.
Italy, Andalusia set the pace
Among all the March data, two stories stood out.
Italy posted the highest jump in visitor numbers and spending, signaling a growing interest among Italian travelers in what Spain offers.
That trend, if it continues, could reshape marketing priorities across the sector.
Meanwhile, Andalusia saw the largest increase in tourist arrivals among all Spanish regions.
With more than one million international visitors and nearly €1.6 billion in spending in March alone, Andalusia appears to be emerging as a tourism hotspot, supported by local efforts to improve services and diversify offerings.
Tourism boosts jobs despite Easter absence
Interestingly, March’s growth occurred without the usual Easter travel surge, which took place in April this year.
Despite that, Spain added nearly 25,000 jobs in the tourism sector in March. This rise signals that the sector’s recovery is gaining strength, even outside traditional holiday periods.
More than just tourist interest
The increase in tourist spending and rise in arrivals to Spain in early 2025 may seem like a short-term win for leisure travelers, but it also marks a shift toward higher-value tourism.
For short-term visitors, the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) could streamline entry while adding a layer of pre-travel scrutiny.
Long-term visitors and migrants might face heightened expectations around financial self-sufficiency, as the EU continues to emphasize economic contribution.
These trends suggest that both ETIAS and Schengen visa assessments may increasingly favor higher-spending, well-documented applicants in future policy shifts.
Growing numbers prompt a strategic reset
With Spain alone welcoming 17.1 million foreign tourists in just three months, EU member states are likely to reevaluate their immigration and mobility frameworks.
The emphasis on sustainable, year-round tourism indicates a preference for more controlled, economically beneficial movement.
Immigration policies could evolve to prioritize migrants who align with these goals—such as those in high-skill sectors or entrepreneurship—mirroring the European Union’s (EU) broader trend of selective openness.
Additionally, the surge supports arguments for digital modernization.
A sustainable future in sight
As Spain celebrates a record-breaking €23.5 billion in tourist spending for the first quarter of 2025, the trend reflects more than just a rebound—it signals a transformation.
With growth in high-value tourism outpacing sheer arrival numbers, the country is clearly steering toward a model of quality over quantity.
If this trajectory holds, Spain won’t just be a top destination—it will be the global benchmark for sustainable tourism excellence.