In the first nine months of the year, residents of Spain accounted for 144.2 million trips, marking an 8% increase over the same period in 2022. This data comes from the Resident Tourism Research, known as Familitur, and was published this Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics INE. The trend underscores a robust year for domestic travel, supported by strong consumer confidence and a steady recovery in tourism activity across the country as reported by INE.
During this period, total travel expenditure rose by 16.3%, reaching 46.208 billion euros. The largest share of journeys was directed to the regions of Andalusia, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community, which remain the most popular domestic destinations for travelers. The surge in spending reflects a combination of longer stays, more frequent trips, and higher per-trip costs as travelers take advantage of improved mobility and services within Spain.
Of all trips, 89.8% had the domestic region as the main destination. This share grew by 6.7% compared with the previous year, while there was a 22% rise in expenditures on trips undertaken abroad, accounting for 10.2% of the total travel spend. These figures illustrate a strong appetite for international travel alongside solid domestic tourism growth as Spain continues to attract international visitors and Spanish residents explore nearby markets.
In the third quarter, Spanish residents increased their trips by 6.7% year over year, reaching 60.6 million. Domestic trips rose by 6.4%, and trips abroad also advanced by 6.4%, signaling balanced growth across both domestic and international travel channels. The period shows a steady momentum that hints at sustained demand through the remainder of the year.
By October, travel patterns remained dynamic with free travel up 8.6%, visits to family or friends up 6%, and business travel up 26.4%. There was a notable decline of 10.3% in trips undertaken for other reasons, suggesting a consolidation of travel motivations as households prioritize essential or family-centered trips.
In terms of accommodation, domestic travel where residents stayed with family or friends rose by 9.9%, while international travel with hotel stays grew 17.4%. Domestic travel by private vehicle and air travel both showed strength, with air travel up 5% and a robust 27.7% increase in foreign flights, highlighting renewed connectivity and ease of movement across borders.
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Given the data gaps for the full January to October period, the principal autonomous communities driving residents trips were Andalusia at 17.9% of total, Catalonia at 12.8%, and the Valencian Community at 11.3%. Within the domestic travel segment, Cantabria, Castile and Leon, and La Rioja recorded higher trip frequencies relative to population size, indicating concentrated travel demand in these areas.
Trips by residents of the Community of Madrid accounted for 18.8% of the total in the third quarter, followed by Catalonia and Andalusia with 16.8% and 15.1% respectively. Once regional size effects are controlled, Madrid stood out with 1,633 trips per 1,000 residents, with the Basque Country and Aragon also showing high per capita activity. In contrast, the Balearic Islands, Cantabria, and the Canary Islands had the lowest per capita figures, reflecting different demographic and geographic patterns of travel propensity.
When looking at per capita travel by autonomous community, Cantabria led with 78 trips per 1,000 people, followed by Galicia and the Balearic Islands at 75. Regions such as Murcia, Aragon, and the Basque Country recorded comparatively lower levels, around 52 to 54 trips per 1,000 residents, highlighting a mix of accessibility, tourism infrastructure, and local preferences across the country.
Spending exceeded 46 billion
Total travel expenditure from January to October reached 46.208 billion euros, reflecting a 16.3% increase versus the same period in 2022. Domestic travel spending rose 11.1%, while international travel expenditure grew a notable 29.5%. These patterns underscore growing confidence among residents to explore both home shores and foreign destinations as travel options widen and prices stabilize after recent disruptions.
The average daily spend for trips within Spain was 59 euros, while trips abroad averaged 114 euros per day. Accommodation costs in domestic travel rose by 10.9% from the previous year, aligning with a broader rebound in tourism services. Transportation expenses for international travel increased by 28.2%, reflecting higher international travel activity and airline pricing dynamics during the period.
Early third-quarter data show the highest daily expenditures concentrated in the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and the Community of Madrid, with averages of 85, 83, and 78 euros respectively. The lowest daily expenses were observed in February in Castilla y Leon, Extremadura, and Castilla-La Mancha, where average daily spend hovered around 36 euros. Per-capita expenditure also varied by region, with Cantabria, Galicia, and the Balearic Islands posting the highest averages, while Murcia, Aragon, and the Basque Country reported the lower end of the spectrum, around 52 to 54 euros per day.
Overall, these figures reflect a diverse travel landscape across Spain, where regional attractions, connectivity, and living costs shape how residents choose destinations and manage daily travel expenses. The data provide actionable insights for tourism planners, regional authorities, and businesses seeking to align services with evolving traveler preferences, both within Spain and in relation to neighboring markets.