Some 16.5 milliion Brits visited Spain in the first 10 months of this year, 7% more than in the same period in 2023.
UK Director of the Spanish Tourist Office Manuel Butler said the country expects a total of 18.8m UK visitors for 2024, a 5% increase on 2019’s pre-pandemic level.
International visitors stood at 82.9m for the first 10 months of the year, which Manuel said was a record-breaking figure.
“The UK is the most important country for us when it comes to international visitors. We know that the UK travel industry remains a top priority for us,” he said.
Spend from the UK is also set to hit €23m by the end of 2024, which is a 30% increase on 2019.
Manuel said summer 2025 was looking ‘positive’ so far and he expects winter 2024-25 visitor numbers to be up 25% compared to winter 2019-20. It is largely driven by the Canaries with a 54% boost, followed by a 16% increase in the Balearics and 11% on the mainland.
However, the average length of a British visit is down 4.2% compared to 2019, now sitting at just under a week at 6.98 days. To try to increase this, the tourist office is launching a campaign for travellers to stay longer in 2025, working with tour operators on longer itinerary ideas.
Manuel said that lowering tourist taxes was an option to encourage longer holidays. “One idea – and it is just an idea – is that depending on the destination, the tourist tax could be less when the duration is longer. I think this is something that has to be adapted by the different destinations in Spain.”
Manuel also suggested that the new security checks on tourists, introduced on 2 December, could be watered down. They are facing a legal challenge from hoteliers who fear the checks, which require visitors to provide detailed information such as their home addresses and emails addreses as well as their passport and payment information, could deter tourists.
Manuel said: “It must be considered from the angle of tourism and taken into account. We (the Tourism Ministry and Spanish Government) are very aware there are some aspects that have to be softened and has to be approached in a realistic way. We think we will have an update on the rules in a couple of weeks with more specific details.”
Other developments include plans to expand the advisory board for the ‘Spain For All’ campaign. The board was formed a year ago to identify key challenges and opportunities around accessible travel to the destination. Its members will meet in Seville next May to discuss their initial findings.
Meanwhile, the train operator RENFE is introducing a Spain Rail Pass for international passengers which is valid for six months from the date of purchase. Prices star at €215 Euros for four journeys.
