Spain’s travel and tourism sector is poised to soar to unprecedented heights, with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasting a remarkable €260.5 billion contribution to the national GDP by the end of 2025. This would represent nearly 16% of Spain’s total economic output, reaffirming the country’s status as a global tourism titan.
The latest Economic Impact Research, conducted in partnership with Oxford Economics, signals a continued resurgence for the sector, anticipating year-on-year growth of 4.7%. These gains will not only fuel economic momentum but also support approximately 3.2 million jobs—accounting for 14.4% of the national workforce.
International and Domestic Spending on the Rise
Luxury travellers and international guests are expected to contribute significantly to this growth. International tourism spending is projected to reach €113.2 billion in 2025—a 5.7% increase year-on-year. Meanwhile, domestic travel remains robust, forecast to grow by 2.4% to €84.9 billion.
“Spain remains a true global tourism powerhouse,” said Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO. “This dynamic, resilient sector not only drives prosperity but also champions innovation, sustainability, and high-quality employment. The outlook for 2025 is exceptionally strong.”
A Record-Breaking 2024
Spain’s tourism industry has already shown impressive momentum. In 2024, the sector delivered its strongest performance since 2019, contributing €248.7 billion to GDP—an 8% year-on-year increase—and supporting 3 million jobs.
International visitor spending surged by 10.9% to €107.1 billion, while domestic travellers contributed €82.9 billion, a 2.2% rise from the previous year. Leisure travel continues to dominate, comprising 88.3% of total tourism spend.
Spain’s allure continues to attract travellers from key markets, with the United Kingdom (20%), France (14%), and Germany (13%) leading arrivals. Meanwhile, outbound Spanish travellers favoured France (25%), Italy (14%), the UK (8%), and Portugal (8%).
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead to 2035, the WTTC envisions Spain’s tourism sector reaching €315.7 billion, representing over 17% of GDP and supporting 4 million jobs—a gain of 700,000 positions over current levels.
A European Context
Spain’s growth mirrors a broader trend across the European Union. In 2024, the EU’s travel and tourism sector generated €1.8 trillion, contributing more than 10% of the region’s GDP and employing 24.6 million people. These figures are set to climb further in 2025, with international spending projected to exceed €573 billion, an increase of over 11%, and domestic expenditure reaching €1.1 trillion.
For today’s discerning global traveller, Spain offers more than sunshine and sangria—it represents a thriving, world-class tourism ecosystem where luxury, culture, and opportunity converge.
