Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
SPAIN has become the second most visited country in the world – nearing 100 million visitors in 2025, according to new figures.
Ranking behind only France and ahead of destinations such as the United States and Italy, Spain welcomed a record 97 million foreign visitors in 2025 – setting a new benchmark for the second year in a row.
This represents a 3,5% increase from 2024 when Spain welcomed 94 million foreign tourists.
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Jordi hereu, Tourism Minister of Spain, said that the results show Spain’s appeal is growing despite economic uncertainties elsewhere in Europe.
He said: “This is collectively a success for the whole country.” “Spain has a way of seducing the world.”
The majority of international tourists to Spain are still European, with British, German, and French tourists making up around half.
The UK is Spain’s largest single source market. This trend is particularly relevant to the large British expat community who live throughout the country.
Experts claim that a mild climate, good air connections and low living costs make Spain a popular destination for long-term residents and frequent visitors.
Figures show that tourist spending grew faster than the number of visitors.
Holidaymakers spent an estimated €135 billion in 2025, an increase of 6.8% year on year.
Tourism is now responsible for approximately 13% (or more) of Spain’s economy. It is important to employment, services, regional growth, and jobs.
Officials refer to the trend as a “qualitative increase”, where visitors spend more money on culture, restaurants, transportation, and accommodation.
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Spain’s tourism boom played a key role in its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Spain, like Portugal and Greece has also benefited from a strong demand following years of austerity and pandemic disruption in early 2010.
Spain’s tourism sector has grown at a faster rate than many of its EU counterparts, allowing it to outperform other EU countries and cement its position as Europe’s second most resilient economy in terms of tourism after France.
Forecasts suggest that Spain will surpass 100 million tourists in 2026. The country’s position as a tourism powerhouse is set to grow.
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