Saturday, May 31, 2025
Spain’s travel and tourism sector is on track for a record-breaking year in 2025, with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) projecting the industry will contribute a staggering EUR 260.5 billion to the national economy—accounting for nearly 16% of the country’s total GDP. This optimistic forecast, developed in collaboration with Oxford Economics, underscores the sector’s accelerating recovery and growing importance as a key economic engine, fueled by sustained international demand, strong domestic travel, and a steady rise in employment across the industry.
Spain’s travel and tourism industry is poised to hit unprecedented heights in 2025, with the sector projected to contribute approximately EUR 260.5 billion to the nation’s GDP—representing nearly 16% of the country’s total economic output. This optimistic forecast, released by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in partnership with Oxford Economics, highlights the continued rise of tourism as a key pillar of Spain’s economy.
The latest Economic Impact Research (EIR) underlines a steady upward trajectory, forecasting a 4.7% year-on-year growth in the sector. This strong performance places tourism among the top economic engines in Spain, sustaining momentum in the post-pandemic recovery era.
Job growth in the travel and tourism sector is projected to rise substantially. According to WTTC forecasts, the industry is expected to support approximately 3.2 million jobs across the country by the end of 2025. This would represent 14.4% of the national workforce, underscoring the sector’s vital role in driving employment and sustaining millions of livelihoods nationwide.
Foreign tourist spending in Spain is projected to climb to EUR 113.2 billion, representing a 5.7% year-on-year increase and reaffirming the sector’s vital role in the national economy. At the same time, domestic travel is also on the rise, with local tourism expenditure expected to grow by 2.4% to EUR 84.9 billion, as more Spaniards opt to discover the diverse attractions within their own borders.
Together, these figures paint a picture of a thriving travel landscape in Spain—driven by strong demand, strategic economic importance, and growing employment opportunities.
Spain’s Tourism Industry Hits New Heights in 2024, with EU Sector Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Benchmarks
Spain’s travel and tourism industry staged a remarkable comeback in 2024, achieving its strongest performance since the pandemic era. The sector’s contribution to the national GDP soared to €248.7 billion, representing 15.6% of the country’s total economic output—a notable 8% rise compared to the previous year. This resurgence also powered a major boost in employment, with around 3 million people engaged in tourism-related roles, making up close to 14% of the entire Spanish workforce.
A large portion of this economic momentum came from international tourists, whose total expenditure reached €107.1 billion—up 10.9% compared to 2023. Meanwhile, domestic travelers contributed €82.9 billion, representing a 2.2% annual increase. Combined, these figures made up Spain’s total tourism expenditure for the year, with foreign spending comprising 56.4% and local tourism accounting for the remaining 43.6%.
Leisure travel remained the dominant driver of tourism revenue, making up a commanding 88.3% of all travel-related spending. In contrast, business travel expenditure accounted for just 11.7%, reflecting a continued shift toward personal and recreational travel in the post-pandemic era.
When it came to inbound tourism, Spain’s key international markets held steady, with the United Kingdom accounting for 20% of all arrivals, followed by France at 14% and Germany at 13%. On the outbound side, Spanish tourists favored destinations close to home. France attracted 25% of all Spanish travelers, with Italy receiving 14%, and both the UK and Portugal drawing 8% each.
Looking toward the future, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts even greater achievements for Spain’s tourism sector. By 2035, it is projected that the industry could generate €315.7 billion annually—surpassing 17% of the country’s GDP. Employment in the sector is also expected to expand, with tourism anticipated to support 4 million jobs across Spain, adding 700,000 new positions compared to current levels.
Across the broader European Union, the tourism sector also experienced notable growth in 2024. The industry’s contribution reached approximately €1.8 trillion—equivalent to more than 10% of the EU’s total economic output. This figure surpassed the region’s 2019 benchmark by nearly 6%, indicating a full recovery and a strong trajectory ahead.
Employment figures echoed this upward trend, with jobs linked to travel and tourism rising by 4.7% compared to the previous year. In total, the sector supported 24.6 million jobs throughout the EU—representing one out of every nine roles across the bloc.
Travel spending in the EU remained strong in both domestic and international markets. Local travelers spent over €1 trillion on tourism within the region, while international visitors contributed €515 billion. This distribution demonstrates the resilience of both internal and external demand in the European travel economy.
By 2025, the WTTC anticipates that the EU tourism sector will generate nearly €1.9 trillion—amounting to 10.5% of the region’s GDP. Employment linked to the industry is expected to climb to 25.7 million, representing 12% of total EU jobs.
Spending projections show further momentum. International visitor expenditure is forecast to rise by more than 11%, reaching €573 billion. Domestic travel spending is also expected to increase modestly by 1.6%, surpassing €1.1 trillion. These gains suggest continued investment, stronger consumer confidence, and growing cross-border mobility throughout the European Union.
The World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts Spain’s tourism sector will generate EUR 260.5 billion in 2025, making up nearly 16% of the country’s GDP. This surge highlights tourism’s expanding role in Spain’s economic growth and job creation.
Taken together, the strong rebound in both Spain and the EU demonstrates that tourism is once again a critical pillar of economic stability and job creation—one that is not just recovering, but evolving to meet the demands of a modern, experience-driven traveler. With technology, sustainability, and regional connectivity at the forefront, Europe’s tourism industry is poised for long-term growth and transformation.
