Spain nears 100 million tourists as H1 arrivals hit 46.6 million, but June growth slows

Record first half

Spain's tourism sector posted its strongest-ever first half, with 46.56 million international visitors between January and June 2026, a 4.6% rise over the same period in 2025, according to INE data. Spending climbed even faster, reaching €63.84 billion, a 7% increase that pushed the average outlay per tourist to €1,393. The growth was broad-based, with the United Kingdom sending 9.3 million travellers (+4.3%), while the United States (+12.3%) and Portugal (+12.5%) recorded the sharpest percentage gains among major markets.

June breaks the seasonal climb

June brought 9.74 million international tourists, the highest figure ever recorded for that month, yet the 2.9% year-on-year increase marked a sharp deceleration from May's 9.5% surge. For the first time in the historical series, May (10.26 million) exceeded June, reversing the usual pre-summer ramp-up. Germany contributed to the softness, with arrivals falling 5.9% in June to 1.15 million, while French visitor numbers slipped 1.7%. The UK bucked the trend, rising 6.8% in June to nearly 2.3 million.

Source markets diverge

Britain remained the dominant source market, accounting for 2.3 million arrivals in June alone and spending €2.8 billion, up 7.1%. Germany's half-year total of 5.7 million visitors was 1.1% below the 2025 level, though spending edged up 1.9% to almost €7.5 billion. France supplied 5.6 million tourists, a marginal 1% increase, with spending essentially flat. Italy (+5.6% arrivals, +10.2% spending) and the Nordic countries (+7.2% arrivals) provided offsetting momentum. Long-haul markets also strengthened: Brazilian visitor numbers to Madrid jumped 30% to nearly 94,000, and Irish arrivals to Murcia surged 55.5%.

Regional hotspots and spending patterns

Baleares captured 23.3% of all June arrivals, followed by Cataluña (20.8%) and Andalucía (15.7%). Cataluña led the half-year ranking with 9.6 million tourists, while Canarias, despite a slight 0.6% dip in arrivals, accumulated the highest spending at €11.85 billion. Madrid crossed a symbolic threshold, with international tourism expenditure reaching €10.01 billion in the first six months, an 11.4% jump.

“Surpassing 10 billion euros in international spending demonstrates the enormous appeal that Madrid has managed to build, both nationally and internationally.”

Baleares23.3%

Cataluña20.8%

Andalucía15.7%

Baleares

23.3 %

Cataluña

20.8 %

Andalucía

15.7 %

Data from the article text

The Valencian Community recorded 6.08 million international tourists (+8.7%) and €7.39 billion in spending (+8.7%), with an average stay of nearly nine days, the longest among all regions. Murcia posted a 13.2% rise in daily spending per tourist, the second-highest increase in Spain, while its average stay reached 10.7 days.

“The Valencian Community has consolidated in this first half of the year the good evolution of international tourism, and registers in June the best data for arrivals and spending in the entire historical series for this month.”

Spending outpaces inflation, domestic demand lags

International visitors appeared unfazed by rising prices: restaurant and accommodation costs were up 5% annually in June, and headline inflation was expected to hit 3.5% in July, yet foreign spending grew 7%. Domestic tourism told a different story. Resident trips fell 4% in the first quarter, and their spending rose only 2.5%, roughly half the increase in hospitality prices. Non-hotel accommodation surged, with stays in owned or borrowed homes jumping 26.8% year-on-year and associated spending up 16.6%.

Outlook

If the first-half pace holds, Spain could surpass 100 million international tourists for the first time in a calendar year, up from 96.8 million in 2025. The June slowdown, however, introduces uncertainty. The reversal of the usual May-to-June climb, combined with weakening demand from Germany and France, suggests the second half may not sustain the same momentum.