Spain sees a strong start to the year in tourism with record April figures
April brought a remarkable surge in international tourism to Spain. The country hosted 7.2 million visitors, up 18.5% from April 2022 and 1.2% above April 2019, despite the pandemic era. The spike demonstrates a robust rebound in travel demand and a solid recovery in the sector, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). INE reports that tourist spending in April reached 8,480 million euros, an increase of 22.7% year over year and 20.2% higher than the best pre-pandemic data. These numbers underscore Spain’s continuing appeal as a global destination. INE.
In the first four months of the year, Spain welcomed nearly 21 million international tourists, a 32.4% rise compared with the same period last year. Total spending in this four-month window reached 25,681 million euros, up 36.6% from the prior year and 14.5% above 2019 levels, signaling a sustained return to pre-pandemic travel patterns and a strong overall tourism performance. INE.
Tourism thinks the pandemic ends with Easter, with a 2.6 percent increase in overnight stays
Looking at the Easter period, the tourism sector shows continued momentum with a notable rise in overnight stays. The data indicate sustained consumer confidence and demand as international travelers extend their visits. INE emphasizes that the recovery in tourism is continuing and that government measures supporting specialized employment and sector modernization are contributing to the rebound. INE.
Average expenditure per tourist in April climbed 3.6% year on year to 1,172 euros, while average daily spending rose 11.6% to 173 euros. These figures reflect a healthier spend profile among visitors and stronger day-by-day consumption, according to INE.
The overall travel duration for international visitors averaged 6.8 days, a figure similar to the previous April. Most stays ranged between four and seven nights, with more than 3.7 million travelers choosing this duration, up 18.3% year over year. INE.
British tourists take the lead
Among the national origins, the United Kingdom remains the leading source of outbound tourism to Spain, with 1.4 million visitors in April—an 8.7% increase from April 2022. France and Germany follow, each contributing over one million visitors in April. On a year-over-year basis, French arrivals rose by 26.9% and German arrivals by 2%. INE.
Other significant markets show strong momentum as well, with the United States posting a notable 60.7% rise in April. Italy and Portugal also posted substantial gains (both around 29%). In the first four months of the year, U.S. visitors grew by 75.4%, marking the largest year-over-year increase among major markets and reinforcing the USA as a crucial source of growth for Spain’s tourism sector. INE.