According to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), Spain is recording signs of a slowdown in the growth of tourist arrivals. In July 2025, the peak month of the summer season, arrivals increased by just 1.6% compared to the corresponding month last year, although they exceeded 11 million visitors for the first time. Cumulatively, 55.5 million tourists were recorded in the period January-July (+4.1%), with the increase limited to the last three months at levels below 2%.
The decline is mainly attributed to the decrease in arrivals from key markets. Germany fell by -4.8% and France by -3.1%, while the UK, the largest market with a 21% share, saw a marginal increase (+0.7%). At the same time, the Mesa del Turismo organisation highlights that Spain’s higher prices compared to competing Mediterranean destinations such as Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco, or Adriatic markets such as Croatia, Montenegro and Albania, are acting as a deterrent.
At a regional level, Catalonia recorded a decrease of -1.1% in July (2.35 million visitors) and a marginal increase of +1.1% in the seven months (11.6 million), mainly affected by the low demand in the French market. Madrid fell by -3.4%, while the Balearic Islands, with a strong dependence on the German market, were limited to an increase of +0.9% in July and +3.1% in the seven months (8.99 million), losing second place to the Canary Islands, which welcomed 9.1 million travelers. On the contrary, Andalusia recorded the best performance with +7.9% (8.3 million), closing the gap with the Balearic Islands.
Despite the slowdown in arrivals, tourism revenues continue to grow at a higher rate. In July they amounted to 16.45 billion euros (+6.1%), with the average expenditure per tourist at 1,493 euros (+4.4%) and the average daily expenditure at 210 euros (+6.9%). The Ministry of Industry and Tourism notes that spending momentum remains strong, partially offsetting the slowdown in arrivals growth.
