Spain tourism revenue rises as visitor spending increases

Tourism revenue rose in Spain in the second quarter of 2026, helped by higher visitor spending and the country’s reputation as a safe destination, tourism industry group Exceltur said on Tuesday.

Exceltur said tourism-related gross domestic product rose 3.4 percent in the second quarter as foreign arrivals increased. It expects tourism-related GDP to grow by 2.7 percent over the full year.

The group said Spain benefited from a shift in tourist flows linked to the conflict in the Middle East, with visitors drawn by its reputation as a safe destination. Exceltur vice-president Oscar Perelli said the group expects that effect to continue at least this year, and said uncertainty had intensified again after renewed strikes by the United States and Iran.

Tourism revenues were supported by more arrivals and higher spending per visitor. Foreign tourist spending rose 8.2 percent in the second quarter compared with the same period last year. Spanish residents increased domestic tourism spending by 8.3 percent.

Exceltur said the figures also showed a move toward higher-end tourism, with Spaniards choosing more expensive accommodation more often. Overnight stays at four- and five-star hotels rose 3.6 percent, according to the group’s data.

The group forecast a positive summer for tourism businesses, with sales expected to rise 3.2 percent. It also warned that higher energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict could weigh on the outlook.

Spain is the world’s second-largest tourism destination by visitor numbers. It received a record 96.8 million foreign visitors last year. Nearly 45 percent of those visitors came from Britain, France and Germany.