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Spain could be on track to welcome more than 100 million international tourists this year, according to new forecasts that suggest the country is heading for another record-breaking year.

 

Research from Oxford Economics indicates Spain could attract as many as 109 million foreign visitors during 2026, representing an increase of around 12 million tourists compared with last year.

 

If those figures are reached, it would mark another major milestone for Spain's tourism industry, which has continued to grow strongly since recovering from the pandemic.

 

According to the consultancy, a combination of factors is helping drive demand. Ongoing uncertainty in parts of the Middle East is encouraging some travellers to choose alternative destinations, while many Europeans are opting to holiday closer to home this summer.

 

Oxford Economics pointed to an "unexpected" rise in visitor numbers during April as an early sign that Spain could benefit from changing travel patterns.

 

The report also noted that overnight stays returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and forecasts further growth this year, with an expected increase of 10.1%.

 

The consultancy highlighted several reasons behind Spain's continued appeal to international visitors.

 

"Spain offers excellent value for money, an expanded range of luxury options and a well-developed tourism infrastructure," the report stated.

 

It added that these factors make Spain "an attractive destination for both budget-conscious travellers and those seeking high-end options."

 

The expected growth is likely to benefit a range of sectors beyond tourism itself. Retail and hospitality businesses are expected to see increased demand, although rising construction costs could affect the pace of new development projects.

 

Separate figures from travel marketing platform Sojern also paint a positive picture for Spain's tourism industry.

 

The company reports a 32% increase in flight bookings compared with the same period last year, alongside a 28% rise in hotel search activity.

 

Demand from European travellers remains particularly strong, with flight bookings up 31% year-on-year. Domestic travel is growing even faster, with bookings within Spain increasing by 63%.

 

Interest from the United States continues to play a significant role. American visitors now account for 19.4% of hotel searches and 13% of flight bookings, making the US Spain's largest long-haul tourism market.

 

Sojern said Spain continues to be one of the preferred European destinations for American travellers, with demand showing consistent growth.

 

The platform also highlighted a large amount of potential future demand still waiting to be converted into bookings. According to its figures, 43% of summer flight reservations and 58% of hotel searches have yet to be finalised.

 

Spain is also performing strongly in the Latin American market, particularly through Madrid, which continues to act as a major gateway to Europe.

 

When compared with neighbouring destinations, Spain is currently outpacing other major southern European tourism markets. Sojern's data shows Spain's growth exceeds that of both France, which recorded a 21% increase, and Portugal, which saw growth of 22%.

 

Image: Turismo Madrid