Spain welcomed nearly six million international air travelers in January 2024, a 12.7% increase compared to the same month last year, according to new data from the Spain Tourism Office (Turespaña).
The growth was fueled by rising numbers of visitors from Europe and beyond.
UK travelers lead the pack
According to Turespaña, the United Kingdom was the top source of international visitors in Spain in January.
Over 1.1 million Brits traveled to Spain, an 11.1% uptick. The Canary Islands snatched the largest share — 42.7% — of British vacationers.
Additionally, British tourists overwhelmingly picked low-cost carriers, accounting for a quarter of such fliers to Spain.
Germany and Italy see double-digit surges
Germany took second place, sending almost 688,000 visitors to Spain in January. That reflects an 11% jump versus last January.
Unlike British tourists, Germans were almost evenly split between low-cost and traditional airlines.
Italy saw an even larger 18.2% year-over-year rise in travelers to Spain, totaling over 632,500. The boost lifted tourist volumes in Catalonia and the Madrid region especially.
About four in five Italian tourists flew via low-cost carriers.
Smaller markets expand their reach
Beyond the top three, smaller visitor markets expanded their footprint as well.
French travel to Spain grew by 1.6% to over 431,000 tourists. The Netherlands posted even faster growth of 11.7%, with 282,000 visitors.
Dutch travelers mimicked the British in heavily utilizing low-cost options. Still, the two largest autonomous communities, Catalonia and Valencia, together received 42% of Dutch guests.
Andalusia and Valencia see largest gains
Looking at Spain’s autonomous communities, Andalusia and Valencia netted the biggest visitor gains in January.
Each saw arrivals spike by over 18%, reflecting Spain’s broad-based tourism revival.
At the airport level, Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands maintained their dominance.
However, second-tier gateways like Malaga and Alicante airports grew arrivals even faster, by over 20% each.
ETIAS to ease the way for EU travelers
The launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in 2025 comes at an opportune time for non-European Union (EU) travelers flocking to Spain.
The visa waiver program allows EU visitors to avoid cumbersome paperwork when planning trips to Spain and 29 other countries.
With ETIAS, EU travelers can simply apply online for pre-clearance before takeoff. That should further stimulate tourist and immigration flows from across Europe.
Spain’s appeal extends to expats and digital nomads
Beyond tourists, Spain entices long-term immigrants as well.
Its sunny climate, affordability, and digital infrastructure beckon mobile professionals and families seeking a higher quality of life abroad.
As visitor numbers swell, interest in expat living and digital nomad visas grows in kind.
The financial incentives are clear, too—Spain levies some of Europe’s lowest income taxes. Its Golden Visa program grants residency rights to non-EU investors spending €500,000 or more on Spanish property.
As tourism rebounds, expect parallel upticks in new residents and digital nomads calling Spain their new home.
Sunny outlook for Spanish tourism
After weathering a multi-year slowdown, Spain’s travel sector has regained its charm. Expanding flight networks, especially low-cost routes prized by younger and budget-minded tourists, provide the arteries for growth.
The UK and other conventional markets show no sign of travel fatigue for all things Spanish. However, lesser-known sending countries are making their presence felt as they discover Spain'’ boundless options for sun, sand, food, and fun.
With tourist volumes already marching upward, 2024 is lining up to be a record-busting year for Spain’s comeback in the tourism industry.