Spain sees tourist spending top €7.6bn in February as travel demand holds

Spain’s tourism sector maintained solid levels of international visitor spending in February, supported by consistent demand from key European markets during the winter travel period. Seasonal destinations continued to attract travellers seeking milder climates, contributing to sustained economic activity across the sector.

Against this backdrop, international tourists spent €7.606 billion in Spain in February, according to figures published by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE). This represents a 4.6 per cent increase compared with the same month in 2025, confirming a continued rise in visitor expenditure.

The figures are based on the INE’s Egatur survey, which measures spending by international tourists and serves as a key indicator of the sector’s economic contribution. The February data follows a strong start to the year and suggests that demand remains stable despite month-to-month variations.

Key European markets continue to underpin demand

Visitors from the United Kingdom remained among the most significant contributors to total tourist expenditure in February. British travellers consistently account for a substantial share of both visitor numbers and overall spending, maintaining their position as one of Spain’s leading tourism markets.

Germany also represented a major source of expenditure, alongside France and several Nordic countries. These markets play an important role during the winter months, when travel demand is often directed towards destinations offering favourable weather conditions.

The Canary Islands continue to benefit from this seasonal pattern. Their climate attracts a high volume of international visitors during the winter period, helping to sustain national spending levels even as other regions experience lower demand.

Expenditure concentrated in core tourism services

Spending by international visitors in February remained concentrated in key categories. Accommodation accounted for the largest share of total expenditure, followed by food and beverage services and transport-related costs.

These categories have consistently represented the main components of tourist spending in Spain. The latest data does not indicate any significant shift in how visitors allocate their budgets, suggesting continuity in consumption patterns.

Average spending per tourist, as well as daily expenditure, remained broadly stable compared with recent months. This indicates that, despite wider economic conditions and variations in travel costs, visitors are maintaining similar levels of spending during their stay.

Tourism maintains a central role in economic activity

Tourism continues to be a major contributor to Spain’s economy, supporting employment and business activity across a wide range of sectors. The sustained level of international visitor spending recorded in February highlights the importance of tourism to regional and national economic performance.

The year-on-year increase in expenditure reflects ongoing demand for Spain as a destination. In January, international visitor spending reached approximately €7.8 billion, marking a year-on-year rise of 9.3 per cent.

Economic activity linked to tourism extends beyond direct spending, influencing sectors such as hospitality, transport and retail. As a result, even moderate increases in visitor expenditure can have a broader impact on economic output.

Seasonal variation remains a defining factor

Monthly fluctuations in tourism data are influenced by seasonal travel patterns. February typically records lower visitor numbers than peak summer months, although winter destinations help to offset this effect.

The performance observed in February is consistent with this pattern. Strong demand in regions such as the Canary Islands supports overall figures, even as activity varies across different parts of the country.

Seasonality also affects year-on-year comparisons, as external factors such as travel demand and pricing can influence growth rates. The February increase therefore reflects both sustained demand and normal seasonal variation.

Spending levels remain elevated despite moderating growth

The February figures confirm that international tourism continues to generate substantial revenue for Spain. Although the rate of growth has slowed compared with the previous month, the overall trend remains positive. The data indicates that demand from international visitors continues to be sustained, supported by established travel patterns and consistent flows from major markets.

The absence of significant changes in spending behaviour further reinforces the stability of the sector. Visitors continue to allocate their expenditure in similar ways, with no evidence of abrupt shifts in consumption.

Continued demand supports Spain’s position as a leading destination

Spain remains one of the most prominent global tourism destinations, and the February data reflects its continued appeal to international travellers. The combination of established source markets, seasonal destinations and stable spending patterns contributes to the sector’s ongoing performance.

The latest figures provide a clear indication that tourism demand remains intact. While growth rates may vary from month to month, overall expenditure continues to exceed levels recorded in the previous year.

As further data is released over the course of 2026, a clearer picture will emerge of how the sector evolves. For now, the February figures confirm that international visitor spending remains a significant and stable source of economic activity, with levels continuing to rise on an annual basis.