Spain Breaks Tourism Records with 97 Million Visitors in 2025

In 2025, Spain achieved a remarkable milestone by welcoming 97 million foreign tourists, marking a new high for the tourism sector, as announced by the tourism minister.

This figure represents a 3.5% increase from the previous year's 94 million visitors, with overall spending rising by 6.8% to reach 135 billion euros, according to Minister Jordi Hereu during a press conference in Madrid.

Hereu noted, "This is a collective success for the entire nation, showcasing Spain's immense appeal as a travel destination. Spain captivates the world."

European visitors dominate the statistics, particularly from the UK, Germany, and France, accounting for nearly half of all arrivals, as highlighted by Pedro Aznar, a professor at Esade business school.

Having recovered from stringent austerity measures and substantial debt in the early 2010s, Spain's tourism sector has seen a resurgence following the Covid-19 pandemic, significantly contributing to the economy, which relies on tourism for about 13% of its GDP.

The Bank of Spain forecasts a 2.9% economic growth rate for 2025, outpacing the eurozone average.

However, this tourism boom has sparked backlash due to the social and economic repercussions of mass tourism, particularly amid a persistent housing crisis. Locals in popular areas like Barcelona and the Balearic Islands have protested against the overwhelming number of tourists, which have begun to alter the character of their neighborhoods.

Despite the wealth and jobs generated by tourism, the resulting housing pressures have led cities like Barcelona and Malaga to implement restrictions on short-term rentals to address public dissatisfaction with soaring housing costs.

In response to these challenges, the leftist government has mandated that platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com remove thousands of listings that do not comply with local regulations.

Aznar also pointed out the environmental sustainability issues arising from increased tourism, particularly in a country that has faced water scarcity and recently emerged from a prolonged drought.