Spain's tourism trends in 2024 paint a complex picture of shifting habits and rising costs. While Spaniards took fewer trips within the country compared to 2023, they spent more than ever before, signaling a major change in domestic travel behavior. According to new data, domestic tourism in Spain dropped slightly, with 184 million trips recorded in 2024—one million fewer than the previous year. This decline in volume, however, contrasts with a 6% increase in total spending, with each traveler spending an average of €337 per trip.
Compared to 2019, before the pandemic, Spaniards are now traveling 5% less frequently, but spending 29% more. That’s nearly €90 more per trip than five years ago. One reason for this could be the extended duration of vacations. In 2024, Spaniards recorded a total of 811 million overnight stays, setting a new record. On average, trips now last 4.4 days—suggesting that travelers are staying longer in fewer destinations.
Inflation is a major factor behind the trend. Restaurant prices rose by 4.7%, and accommodation prices surged by 6.6% in 2024 alone. As a result, domestic tourists face growing challenges in keeping up with rising costs—especially as international visitors continue to spend at record-breaking levels. In fact, while travel within Spain declined by 6.3% compared to pre-pandemic levels, international travel by Spaniards is growing. In 2024, 21.6 million trips abroad were recorded—up 6.3% from the previous year.
However, domestic destinations still remain the preferred choice. Of all trips taken by Spaniards last year, nearly 163 million were within Spain, compared to those 21.6 million foreign trips. When it comes to top travel destinations, Andalusia was the most visited region in 2024, with 31.6 million trips. Catalonia followed with 23 million, then the Valencian Community with 17.9 million, and Castile and León with 14.9 million.
For international trips, Spain’s neighboring countries remained favorites: France (3.6 million visits), Portugal (3 million), and Italy (2 million). While domestic travel softened, Spain’s overall economy benefited enormously from the continued strength of international tourism. The country recorded 3.2% GDP growth in 2024, outperforming the eurozone and contributing to half of its total economic growth.
Foreign tourism alone grew by 11.8% last year, although this was slightly less than the 20.1% jump seen in 2023. Tourism-related services played a key role in this performance. Exports of services, including spending by international tourists, rose by 8.7%. Meanwhile, public spending increased by 4.1%, and household consumption grew by 2.8%. In contrast, investment and goods exports remained below average.
Employment in Spain also received a boost, with nearly 500,000 new jobs added in 2024. Compensation per employee rose by about 5% in recent quarters, while hours worked increased by 2.8% year-on-year. This translated into a 0.6% gain in hourly productivity. In total, Spain’s GDP reached nearly €1.6 trillion in 2024, representing a 6.2% increase from the previous year.
Much of this growth was centered in the services and agriculture sectors, while real estate services grew by 5.9% and manufacturing by 3.5%. The overall picture reveals a tourism economy in transition. While Spaniards are opting for fewer trips, they are investing more time and money into each experience. Meanwhile, foreign tourists continue to pour into the country, driving record levels of economic activity.
For industry stakeholders, the trends highlight the need for balance—ensuring both local and international visitors can find value in Spain’s evolving travel landscape. Spain's economy is outperforming France, Germany, and Italy, marking a significant turnaround in its economic performance.
According to definitive figures released by the National Statistics Institute, Spain's economy grew by 3.2% in 2024, confirming estimated results published in January. Domestic demand contributed 2.8 percentage points to last year's GDP growth, 1.1 more than in 2023, while external demand contributed 0.3 percentage points, 0.7 less than in 2023. GDP in the fourth quarter increased by 0.8% compared to the previous three months, a rate similar to that seen in Q3.
Domestic demand contributed 1.2 percentage points to Q4 growth, while external demand decreased by 0.4 percentage points. Household spending grew by 1%, while spending by public administrations increased by 0.3%. Capital investment registered a 2.9% increase. Exports of goods and services saw a year-on-year growth rate of 0.1%, three-tenths of a percentage point lower than the third quarter. Imports, on the other hand, grew by 1.4%, with an increase of four-tenths compared to the previous quarter.
All major sectors recorded positive growth, except for the primary sector. The industrial sector increased by three-tenths on the previous quarter, with the manufacturing industry up six-tenths to 0.5%. The primary sector saw a quarterly decline of 0.7%, down from a 1.4% increase in the previous quarter. On a year-on-year basis, GDP growth in the fourth quarter stood at 3.4%, one-tenth higher than the previous quarter.
The overall economic landscape indicates a robust recovery and growth trajectory for Spain as it navigates the challenges and opportunities presented by both domestic and international tourism trends. The country’s ability to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and rising costs will be crucial in maintaining its competitive edge in the global tourism market.
