NEWS

Spain Attracts More Tourists, but They Are More Budget-Conscious

Tourism in Spain continues to break records. In the first nine months of 2025, the country welcomed 76.5 million international visitors, an increase of 3.5%. These tourists spent a total of over 105 billion euros, a rise of 7%.

However, there is a notable trend: the average spending per tourist remains limited. At €1,384 per person, the increase is only 3.3%. Today's holidaymakers are more frugal. Trips to the beach increasingly involve a homemade sandwich, and dinner comes from the local supermarket.

Holiday Apartments Gaining Ground
This budget-conscious approach explains the growing popularity of holiday apartments, such as those from ImmoMoment. Tourists who want to prepare their own meals to save costs logically prefer an apartment with a kitchen over a hotel room. This shift is clearly visible in the market.

Differences in Tourists by Coast
There are also regional differences. On the Costa Blanca, the tourist profile is predominantly European, with a strong representation of Dutch and British visitors. On the Costa del Sol, the crowd is more diverse; alongside Europeans, one finds more tourists from other continents, which brings a different spending pattern.

Mixed Signals
These trends are fueled by economic stagnation in key countries of origin. The Spanish Ministry of Tourism remains positive and sees these figures as a step towards a more sustainable tourism model. However, the hospitality sector in tourist hotspots is less optimistic; sector confidence has been negative for five consecutive quarters.

In short: Spain has more visitors than ever, but the growth comes with tighter purse strings, benefiting vacation rentals and harming the traditional hospitality sector.