Spain consolidates its leadership as a favorite destination for two British tourists

Spain consolidates its leadership as a favorite destination for two British tourists

  • The latest reports from Turespaña point to tourists from the United Kingdom as the main visitor to our country

 

Spain maintains its privileged position as the most popular holiday destination in the British poles, especially on sun and beach trips, according to the latest reports from Turespaña based on data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In 2024, one in five British tourists will travel abroad to Spain, most notably France (10.3%), Italy (5.3%), Turkey (4.5%) or the United States (4.4%).

 

The attractiveness of our country is based on a formula that combines the climate, the quality of the tourist offer and the diversity of experiences. Although sun and beach continue to be the main motivation, British visitors also value city breaks, nature and the possibility of complementing their holidays with cultural and gastronomic activities.

 

  • The tourist profile of the British visitor in 2024

 

The British market reached record figures in 2024, with 18.4 million visitors (up 6.6% compared to the previous year) and tourist spending exceeding €22 billion, a 13.5% increase. Their average stay was seven nights, with a daily expenditure of nearly €176.

 

Despite this strength, Turespaña warns that the economic and political situation in the United Kingdom is affecting household purchasing power, leading to a shift toward more affordable destinations such as Turkey, Greece, and Morocco. Even so, Spain maintains its unique appeal and is experiencing double-digit growth in bookings made through tour operators specializing in sustainable tourism.

 

In the first six months of 2025, the positive trend has been confirmed: the British market now represents a fifth of all tourists visiting Spain and accounts for 17.6% of total spending, with increases of over 5% in both arrivals and expenditure compared to the same period last year.