GITNUXREPORT 2026

Spain Tourism Statistics

Spain's tourism boomed in 2023, setting new visitor and spending records and fueling its economic recovery.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Tourism contributes 12.8% to Spain's GDP in 2023.

Statistic 2

Tourism sector employed 3.4 million people directly in 2023.

Statistic 3

Total tourism GDP contribution €189 billion in 2023.

Statistic 4

Indirect employment from tourism 2.1 million jobs.

Statistic 5

Hotel industry revenue €28.4 billion in 2023.

Statistic 6

Air transport to/from Spain generated €15.2 billion.

Statistic 7

Restaurant sector from tourism €45.6 billion turnover.

Statistic 8

Retail boosted by €20.1 billion tourist spend.

Statistic 9

Tax revenue from tourism €52.3 billion in 2023.

Statistic 10

Balance of payments surplus from tourism €30.7 billion.

Statistic 11

Construction for tourism projects €8.9 billion invested.

Statistic 12

Cultural tourism economic impact €16.4 billion.

Statistic 13

Rural tourism generated €4.2 billion.

Statistic 14

Cruise tourism ports revenue €1.8 billion.

Statistic 15

Golf tourism €2.5 billion annual.

Statistic 16

Wine tourism routes €1.2 billion.

Statistic 17

Congress and events MICE €7.1 billion.

Statistic 18

Sustainable tourism investments €3.4 billion.

Statistic 19

Digital tourism tech startups €1.1 billion funding.

Statistic 20

Balearics tourism GDP share 45%.

Statistic 21

Canary Islands 35% GDP from tourism.

Statistic 22

Catalonia 13% GDP contribution.

Statistic 23

Andalusia 12.5%.

Statistic 24

Madrid 10.2%.

Statistic 25

Valencia 14.1%.

Statistic 26

Post-COVID recovery added 1.2 million jobs.

Statistic 27

Female employment in tourism 52.3%.

Statistic 28

Youth under 30 in tourism jobs 28.4%.

Statistic 29

Balearic Islands hotel occupancy rate was 84.2% in 2023 summer peak.

Statistic 30

Nationwide hotel occupancy averaged 71.5% in 2023.

Statistic 31

Barcelona hotels reached 89.3% occupancy in August 2023.

Statistic 32

Madrid's hotel occupancy hit 82.1% annually in 2023.

Statistic 33

Canary Islands averaged 78.6% hotel occupancy in 2023.

Statistic 34

Andalusia coastal hotels 85.7% in July 2023.

Statistic 35

Valencia region's hotels 76.4% yearly average.

Statistic 36

Costa del Sol hotels peaked at 92.1% occupancy.

Statistic 37

Ibiza hotels 91.5% in peak season 2023.

Statistic 38

Seville city hotels 87.2% annual occupancy.

Statistic 39

Malaga province 83.4% average.

Statistic 40

Tenerife hotels 80.2% throughout 2023.

Statistic 41

Mallorca 88.9% summer occupancy.

Statistic 42

Granada hotels 79.1%.

Statistic 43

Bilbao 74.3% occupancy rate.

Statistic 44

San Sebastian 82.7%.

Statistic 45

Alicante hotels 81.6%.

Statistic 46

Palma de Mallorca city 86.4%.

Statistic 47

Cadiz 77.8% average.

Statistic 48

Salamanca 68.5%.

Statistic 49

Rural hotels nationwide 65.2% occupancy.

Statistic 50

5-star hotels averaged 75.9% occupancy in 2023.

Statistic 51

Aparthotels reached 73.1%.

Statistic 52

Hostels 69.4%.

Statistic 53

January 2024 national occupancy 58.7%.

Statistic 54

August 2023 peak month 85.2% nationwide.

Statistic 55

Total hotel rooms occupied: 142 million nights in 2023.

Statistic 56

Average room occupancy rate 68.9%.

Statistic 57

Campsites occupancy 62.3%.

Statistic 58

Rural accommodations 64.1%.

Statistic 59

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona attracted 4.7 million visitors in 2023.

Statistic 60

Alhambra in Granada welcomed 2.6 million tourists.

Statistic 61

Park Güell Barcelona 3.2 million visits.

Statistic 62

Prado Museum Madrid 3.5 million visitors in 2023.

Statistic 63

Casa Batlló Barcelona 1.1 million.

Statistic 64

Alcázar of Seville 1.8 million.

Statistic 65

La Mezquita Córdoba 1.9 million.

Statistic 66

Guggenheim Bilbao 1.2 million visitors.

Statistic 67

Teide National Park Tenerife 3.1 million.

Statistic 68

Sagrada Familia construction site visits up 15%.

Statistic 69

Retiro Park Madrid 2.8 million organized visits.

Statistic 70

Royal Palace Madrid 1.7 million.

Statistic 71

Montserrat Monastery 2.4 million.

Statistic 72

Ronda's Puente Nuevo bridge area 1.5 million.

Statistic 73

Tobermor beach Costa Brava 2.1 million swimmers.

Statistic 74

Flamenco shows in Sacromonte Granada 0.9 million attendees.

Statistic 75

Sierra Nevada ski resort 0.7 million skier days.

Statistic 76

Camino de Santiago pilgrims 440,000 in 2023.

Statistic 77

Las Médulas Roman mines UNESCO site 0.6 million.

Statistic 78

Cuenca hanging houses 0.8 million.

Statistic 79

Salamanca Plaza Mayor events drew 1.3 million.

Statistic 80

Avila medieval walls 0.5 million walks.

Statistic 81

Picos de Europa National Park 1.4 million hikers.

Statistic 82

Doñana National Park 0.4 million eco-visits.

Statistic 83

Menorca beaches total 2.5 million sunbathers.

Statistic 84

Formentera island day trips 1.6 million.

Statistic 85

Peña de Bernal-like rock formations visits 0.3 million.

Statistic 86

International tourism expenditure in Spain reached €108.7 billion in 2023.

Statistic 87

Average spend per international tourist was €1,391 in 2023.

Statistic 88

UK tourists spent €19.2 billion in Spain in 2023.

Statistic 89

German spending totaled €16.8 billion.

Statistic 90

French expenditure was €12.4 billion in 2023.

Statistic 91

In 2023, accommodation spending by tourists hit €32.5 billion.

Statistic 92

Food and beverage spending reached €24.1 billion.

Statistic 93

Transport-related spending was €18.9 billion.

Statistic 94

Shopping expenditure amounted to €15.7 billion in 2023.

Statistic 95

Entertainment and culture spending €9.3 billion.

Statistic 96

Average daily spend per tourist was €127 in 2023.

Statistic 97

Italian tourists spent €8.1 billion.

Statistic 98

Dutch spending €5.6 billion.

Statistic 99

US tourists' expenditure €5.2 billion, up sharply.

Statistic 100

Q1 2024 tourism revenue €25.4 billion.

Statistic 101

Per capita spend from Switzerland €2,100.

Statistic 102

Belgium €4.1 billion total spend.

Statistic 103

Irish spending €3.3 billion.

Statistic 104

Swedish €2.2 billion.

Statistic 105

Austrian €1.7 billion.

Statistic 106

Norwegian €1.9 billion.

Statistic 107

Polish €2.0 billion.

Statistic 108

Domestic tourism spending €35.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 109

Average stay length contributed to €210 per day spend.

Statistic 110

Luxury segment spend grew 25% to €12 billion.

Statistic 111

Online bookings drove 68% of expenditure tracking.

Statistic 112

Canary Islands received €15.4 billion in tourist spend.

Statistic 113

Catalonia €22.1 billion.

Statistic 114

Andalusia €18.7 billion.

Statistic 115

Madrid region €10.3 billion.

Statistic 116

Valencia €8.9 billion.

Statistic 117

In 2023, Spain welcomed 85.17 million international tourists, marking a 20.1% increase from 2022.

Statistic 118

France was the top source market for Spain in 2023 with 11.5 million visitors, accounting for 13.5% of total arrivals.

Statistic 119

UK tourists to Spain reached 17.8 million in 2023, up 12.3% year-over-year.

Statistic 120

Germany contributed 12.4 million tourists to Spain in 2023, representing 14.6% of international arrivals.

Statistic 121

In Q1 2024, Spain saw 19.8 million international arrivals, a record high surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 5.2%.

Statistic 122

Italy sent 6.7 million tourists to Spain in 2023, with a 15.8% growth from 2022.

Statistic 123

Netherlands visitors totaled 4.2 million in 2023, favored by beach destinations.

Statistic 124

US tourists increased to 3.1 million in 2023, up 28% from 2022.

Statistic 125

January 2024 saw 4.1 million international arrivals, 18.3% more than January 2023.

Statistic 126

Portugal provided 3.8 million visitors in 2023, steady at 4.5% of total.

Statistic 127

Belgium tourists numbered 2.9 million in 2023, with strong growth in Canary Islands visits.

Statistic 128

Switzerland contributed 2.1 million arrivals in 2023.

Statistic 129

Ireland sent 2.5 million tourists, up 10.2%.

Statistic 130

Poland's visitors reached 1.8 million in 2023.

Statistic 131

Russia, despite restrictions, had 0.9 million arrivals.

Statistic 132

Sweden tourists totaled 1.6 million.

Statistic 133

Austria provided 1.2 million visitors.

Statistic 134

Denmark 1.4 million.

Statistic 135

Norway 1.1 million.

Statistic 136

Czech Republic 0.8 million.

Statistic 137

Romania 1.0 million.

Statistic 138

Morocco 0.7 million.

Statistic 139

Argentina 0.6 million.

Statistic 140

Brazil 0.5 million.

Statistic 141

Canada 0.4 million.

Statistic 142

Mexico 0.3 million.

Statistic 143

China recovered to 0.2 million in 2023.

Statistic 144

Japan 0.1 million.

Statistic 145

Australia 0.15 million.

Statistic 146

South Korea 0.12 million.

1/146

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From France to the United States, record-breaking numbers of travelers are casting their votes for a Spanish getaway with their feet and their wallets, as the country welcomed over 85 million international tourists in a monumental 2023.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, Spain welcomed 85.17 million international tourists, marking a 20.1% increase from 2022.
France was the top source market for Spain in 2023 with 11.5 million visitors, accounting for 13.5% of total arrivals.
UK tourists to Spain reached 17.8 million in 2023, up 12.3% year-over-year.
International tourism expenditure in Spain reached €108.7 billion in 2023.
Average spend per international tourist was €1,391 in 2023.
UK tourists spent €19.2 billion in Spain in 2023.
Balearic Islands hotel occupancy rate was 84.2% in 2023 summer peak.
Nationwide hotel occupancy averaged 71.5% in 2023.
Barcelona hotels reached 89.3% occupancy in August 2023.
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona attracted 4.7 million visitors in 2023.
Alhambra in Granada welcomed 2.6 million tourists.
Park Güell Barcelona 3.2 million visits.
Tourism contributes 12.8% to Spain's GDP in 2023.
Tourism sector employed 3.4 million people directly in 2023.
Total tourism GDP contribution €189 billion in 2023.

Spain's tourism boomed in 2023, setting new visitor and spending records and fueling its economic recovery.

Economic Impact

Tourism contributes 12.8% to Spain's GDP in 2023.
Tourism sector employed 3.4 million people directly in 2023.
Total tourism GDP contribution €189 billion in 2023.
Indirect employment from tourism 2.1 million jobs.
Hotel industry revenue €28.4 billion in 2023.
Air transport to/from Spain generated €15.2 billion.
Restaurant sector from tourism €45.6 billion turnover.
Retail boosted by €20.1 billion tourist spend.
Tax revenue from tourism €52.3 billion in 2023.
Balance of payments surplus from tourism €30.7 billion.
Construction for tourism projects €8.9 billion invested.
Cultural tourism economic impact €16.4 billion.
Rural tourism generated €4.2 billion.
Cruise tourism ports revenue €1.8 billion.
Golf tourism €2.5 billion annual.
Wine tourism routes €1.2 billion.
Congress and events MICE €7.1 billion.
Sustainable tourism investments €3.4 billion.
Digital tourism tech startups €1.1 billion funding.
Balearics tourism GDP share 45%.
Canary Islands 35% GDP from tourism.
Catalonia 13% GDP contribution.
Andalusia 12.5%.
Madrid 10.2%.
Valencia 14.1%.
Post-COVID recovery added 1.2 million jobs.
Female employment in tourism 52.3%.
Youth under 30 in tourism jobs 28.4%.

Economic Impact Interpretation

Spain’s economy isn’t just flamenco and beaches, it’s a meticulously choreographed dance where one in every eight euros and over five million livelihoods—from a waiter in Seville to a tech developer in Barcelona—depend on the delicate art of making people feel welcome.

Hotel Occupancy

Balearic Islands hotel occupancy rate was 84.2% in 2023 summer peak.
Nationwide hotel occupancy averaged 71.5% in 2023.
Barcelona hotels reached 89.3% occupancy in August 2023.
Madrid's hotel occupancy hit 82.1% annually in 2023.
Canary Islands averaged 78.6% hotel occupancy in 2023.
Andalusia coastal hotels 85.7% in July 2023.
Valencia region's hotels 76.4% yearly average.
Costa del Sol hotels peaked at 92.1% occupancy.
Ibiza hotels 91.5% in peak season 2023.
Seville city hotels 87.2% annual occupancy.
Malaga province 83.4% average.
Tenerife hotels 80.2% throughout 2023.
Mallorca 88.9% summer occupancy.
Granada hotels 79.1%.
Bilbao 74.3% occupancy rate.
San Sebastian 82.7%.
Alicante hotels 81.6%.
Palma de Mallorca city 86.4%.
Cadiz 77.8% average.
Salamanca 68.5%.
Rural hotels nationwide 65.2% occupancy.
5-star hotels averaged 75.9% occupancy in 2023.
Aparthotels reached 73.1%.
Hostels 69.4%.
January 2024 national occupancy 58.7%.
August 2023 peak month 85.2% nationwide.
Total hotel rooms occupied: 142 million nights in 2023.
Average room occupancy rate 68.9%.
Campsites occupancy 62.3%.
Rural accommodations 64.1%.

Hotel Occupancy Interpretation

The data shows that Spain's tourism appeal is so potent that even its hotel occupancy rates can't help but post the kind of numbers that would give any other industry an inflated ego, proving the sun-drenched beaches and vibrant cities are still the world's favorite antidote to reality.

Top Attractions

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona attracted 4.7 million visitors in 2023.
Alhambra in Granada welcomed 2.6 million tourists.
Park Güell Barcelona 3.2 million visits.
Prado Museum Madrid 3.5 million visitors in 2023.
Casa Batlló Barcelona 1.1 million.
Alcázar of Seville 1.8 million.
La Mezquita Córdoba 1.9 million.
Guggenheim Bilbao 1.2 million visitors.
Teide National Park Tenerife 3.1 million.
Sagrada Familia construction site visits up 15%.
Retiro Park Madrid 2.8 million organized visits.
Royal Palace Madrid 1.7 million.
Montserrat Monastery 2.4 million.
Ronda's Puente Nuevo bridge area 1.5 million.
Tobermor beach Costa Brava 2.1 million swimmers.
Flamenco shows in Sacromonte Granada 0.9 million attendees.
Sierra Nevada ski resort 0.7 million skier days.
Camino de Santiago pilgrims 440,000 in 2023.
Las Médulas Roman mines UNESCO site 0.6 million.
Cuenca hanging houses 0.8 million.
Salamanca Plaza Mayor events drew 1.3 million.
Avila medieval walls 0.5 million walks.
Picos de Europa National Park 1.4 million hikers.
Doñana National Park 0.4 million eco-visits.
Menorca beaches total 2.5 million sunbathers.
Formentera island day trips 1.6 million.
Peña de Bernal-like rock formations visits 0.3 million.

Top Attractions Interpretation

While Gaudí may have drawn the crowds to Barcelona's unfinished masterpiece, the true story of Spanish tourism in 2023 is a sprawling, sun-drenched tapestry where ancient Alhambras, sacred caminos, and packed public squares all stitched their own vital threads into the nation's cultural and economic fabric.

Tourist Expenditure

International tourism expenditure in Spain reached €108.7 billion in 2023.
Average spend per international tourist was €1,391 in 2023.
UK tourists spent €19.2 billion in Spain in 2023.
German spending totaled €16.8 billion.
French expenditure was €12.4 billion in 2023.
In 2023, accommodation spending by tourists hit €32.5 billion.
Food and beverage spending reached €24.1 billion.
Transport-related spending was €18.9 billion.
Shopping expenditure amounted to €15.7 billion in 2023.
Entertainment and culture spending €9.3 billion.
Average daily spend per tourist was €127 in 2023.
Italian tourists spent €8.1 billion.
Dutch spending €5.6 billion.
US tourists' expenditure €5.2 billion, up sharply.
Q1 2024 tourism revenue €25.4 billion.
Per capita spend from Switzerland €2,100.
Belgium €4.1 billion total spend.
Irish spending €3.3 billion.
Swedish €2.2 billion.
Austrian €1.7 billion.
Norwegian €1.9 billion.
Polish €2.0 billion.
Domestic tourism spending €35.2 billion in 2023.
Average stay length contributed to €210 per day spend.
Luxury segment spend grew 25% to €12 billion.
Online bookings drove 68% of expenditure tracking.
Canary Islands received €15.4 billion in tourist spend.
Catalonia €22.1 billion.
Andalusia €18.7 billion.
Madrid region €10.3 billion.
Valencia €8.9 billion.

Tourist Expenditure Interpretation

While Spain's economy thrives on a symphony of clinking sangria glasses, sizzling paella pans, and sun lounger creaks, the real headline is that international tourists essentially funded a small, luxurious kingdom to the tune of €108.7 billion last year, proving that the pursuit of perfect tapas and sun is a staggeringly serious business.

Visitor Arrivals

In 2023, Spain welcomed 85.17 million international tourists, marking a 20.1% increase from 2022.
France was the top source market for Spain in 2023 with 11.5 million visitors, accounting for 13.5% of total arrivals.
UK tourists to Spain reached 17.8 million in 2023, up 12.3% year-over-year.
Germany contributed 12.4 million tourists to Spain in 2023, representing 14.6% of international arrivals.
In Q1 2024, Spain saw 19.8 million international arrivals, a record high surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 5.2%.
Italy sent 6.7 million tourists to Spain in 2023, with a 15.8% growth from 2022.
Netherlands visitors totaled 4.2 million in 2023, favored by beach destinations.
US tourists increased to 3.1 million in 2023, up 28% from 2022.
January 2024 saw 4.1 million international arrivals, 18.3% more than January 2023.
Portugal provided 3.8 million visitors in 2023, steady at 4.5% of total.
Belgium tourists numbered 2.9 million in 2023, with strong growth in Canary Islands visits.
Switzerland contributed 2.1 million arrivals in 2023.
Ireland sent 2.5 million tourists, up 10.2%.
Poland's visitors reached 1.8 million in 2023.
Russia, despite restrictions, had 0.9 million arrivals.
Sweden tourists totaled 1.6 million.
Austria provided 1.2 million visitors.
Denmark 1.4 million.
Norway 1.1 million.
Czech Republic 0.8 million.
Romania 1.0 million.
Morocco 0.7 million.
Argentina 0.6 million.
Brazil 0.5 million.
Canada 0.4 million.
Mexico 0.3 million.
China recovered to 0.2 million in 2023.
Japan 0.1 million.
Australia 0.15 million.
South Korea 0.12 million.

Visitor Arrivals Interpretation

Spain is cementing its title as Europe's sun-soaked superstar, with a record-breaking 85 million visitors last year proving that everyone, from French neighbors to Americans crossing an ocean, is answering the siren call of its beaches, culture, and paella.

Sources & References

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