Spain records unprecedented tourism surge in early 2025

Spain has achieved remarkable tourism milestones in the first quarter of 2025, welcoming over 17 million international visitors who collectively spent more than €23 billion. This surge marks a significant 5.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year, setting a new record for the country.

Between January and March, the influx of foreign tourists reached an impressive 17.1 million, a figure that does not even account for the Easter holiday, which fell in April this year. The data, released by Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), highlights not only the increase in visitor numbers but also a record spending amount of €23.5 billion within these three months, reflecting a 7.2 percent rise.

Average spending per tourist continues to climb, with each visitor now spending an average of €1,382 during their trip, representing a 1.7 percent increase. Daily expenditures have also seen a boost, rising by 4.5 percent to €188.

Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu anticipates that Spain may welcome a record total of around 100 million tourists this year, potentially matching France, which attracted the same number in 2024.

Despite the positive implications for the tourism sector, this growth is met with apprehension among many locals who feel the strain of overtourism. Last year witnessed numerous anti-tourism protests from Barcelona to the Balearic Islands, with residents expressing their frustrations over the impacts of mass tourism on their communities. Protests have continued into this year, including an incident in Barcelona where locals obstructed a tourist bus, and others in Mallorca who implored visitors to reconsider their travel plans.

These demonstrations are often tied to Spain's ongoing housing crisis. Many residents argue that the tourism boom, particularly the rise of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, has driven up property and rental prices, making housing increasingly unaffordable.

As summer approaches, further protests are planned in popular tourist destinations, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the benefits of tourism and its effects on local communities.