Spain’s tourism sector is projected to surpass €260 billion by 2025, marking a significant economic contribution and job creation.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Spain’s tourism industry is on a trajectory to exceed €260 billion in contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025. This forecast suggests a robust recovery and growth since 2019, positioning tourism as a critical economic pillar for the country. In 2024, the sector recorded a nearly 8% increase in GDP contribution, reaching approximately €249 billion, the highest since the pre-pandemic era.
Economic and Employment Contributions
The WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research highlights the significant role of tourism in Spain’s economy, predicting a 4.7% year-on-year growth by 2025. The sector is expected to support 3.2 million jobs, representing 14.4% of total employment in Spain. This growth is underpinned by both international and domestic tourism spending, which are forecasted to reach €113.2 billion and €84.9 billion, respectively.
International and Domestic Spending
In 2024, spending by international tourists surged by nearly 11% to €107.1 billion, while domestic tourism expenditures grew by 2.2% to €82.9 billion. The leisure segment dominated tourism spending, accounting for 88.3% of the total, significantly overshadowing business travel expenditures. Key source markets included the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, with notable travel preferences among Spaniards for destinations like France and Italy.
Future Projections and Global Standing
Looking beyond 2025, the WTTC anticipates the Spanish tourism sector will contribute €315.7 billion to the GDP by 2035, potentially creating 4 million jobs. Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC, emphasized Spain’s resilience and dynamic nature within the global tourism landscape, highlighting its commitment to sustainability and innovation as fundamental to its future success.
Comparative Regional Data
In a broader context, the European Union’s travel and tourism sector also showed significant growth in 2024, contributing almost €1.8 trillion to the region’s GDP. This sector is expected to expand further, with projections for 2025 indicating a total economic contribution nearing €1.9 trillion and supporting approximately 25.7 million jobs.
Spain’s tourism sector is set to achieve record-breaking economic contributions by 2025, driven by strategic growth in international and domestic tourism spending. The sector’s success is pivotal not only to Spain’s economy but also as a part of the broader European tourism landscape, demonstrating significant recovery and potential for future growth.
