World's Second Most Visited Destination Sets Record: 17 Million Tourists in Q1

In the initial quarter of 2025, Spain, which was the globe’s second-most toured nation in the previous year behind France, saw a historic influx of 17 million international visitors. This surge significantly propelled an economic performance surpassing that of other European countries, according to official statistics released on Monday.

The number of international visitors to Spain between January and March reached 17.1 million, marking a rise of 5.7% compared to the corresponding months in 2023, as reported by the National Statistics Institute.

The United Kingdom, France, and Germany provided the highest number of visitors to Spain, which welcomed a record-breaking 94 million international tourists last year, all drawn by the country’s sunny climate, beautiful coastlines, and rich cultural heritage.

Foreign tourists' spending surged by 7.2%, reaching €23.5 billion ($26.7 billion), according to a statement from the tourism ministry. This increase is good news for the government, as they encourage travelers to spend more during their visit.

The tourist sector was one of the drivers of Spain's standout growth of 3.2% in 2024, well above the EU figure of 1%.

However, this boom has ignited increasing opposition from residents who argue that an unmanageable number of international tourists is pushing up rental prices, overloading local infrastructure, and altering the character of their neighborhoods.

Spain intends to " diversify" tourist locations, reduce reliance on major seasonal periods, and " distribute the advantages" throughout the nation, according to a statement from Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu.