Spain tourism growth lifts outlook for hotel sector

Record international arrivals strengthen demand, revenues, and investment confidence heading into 2026

Spain’s tourism industry closed 2025 with its strongest year on record for international travel, reinforcing a positive outlook for the hotel sector. Official data from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism show overseas arrivals at all-time highs, supported by broad-based growth across European and long-haul markets. This sustained demand is translating into stronger hotel occupancy, more stable revenues, and improved visibility for operators and investors. With travel flows increasingly spread across regions and seasons, the sector enters 2026 on firmer footing.

Key takeaways

• Record inbound travel: Spain welcomed 111.7 million international air passengers in 2025, a 5.9 percent increase year on year, marking its strongest performance to date.
• Europe remains the backbone: European markets accounted for more than 85 percent of arrivals, with passenger numbers rising just over five percent, underlining resilient short-haul demand.
• Long-haul recovery accelerates: Arrivals from the Americas grew by 5.4 percent, while Asia expanded by 18.6 percent, signalling a meaningful rebound in intercontinental travel.
• UK leads source markets: The UK remained the largest individual market, followed by Germany, Italy, and France, providing a diversified and stable demand base for hotels.
• Regional diversification continues: Madrid captured over 23 percent of international air arrivals, while regions such as Comunidad Valenciana posted double-digit growth, supporting urban and secondary destinations.
• Stronger off-season performance: December arrivals rose 6.8 percent year on year, indicating healthier winter demand and improved year-round occupancy potential.
• Positive 2026 outlook: Sustained growth supports investment, pricing flexibility, and capacity planning, particularly as operators seek to capitalise on shoulder-season and long-haul demand.

Source: Hotel Management

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