This summer, city hotels in Spain have seen a remarkable boost in sales, largely driven by an increase in tourists from the United States and Latin America. Cities like Madrid, Bilbao, and Alicante are experiencing substantial growth in revenue, highlighting the increasing appeal of city destinations for long-haul travelers. Let’s explore the key factors contributing to this tourism boom.

American and Latin American Travelers: The Game Changers

Spain has long been a favorite destination for European tourists, but 2024 is witnessing a new trend. Travelers from the United States and Latin America are flocking to Spanish cities in greater numbers. These visitors are not just looking for traditional sun-and-beach vacations but are increasingly drawn to city tourism. The trends also noted that they tend to stay in higher-category hotels and prefer longer stays, further driving revenue growth.

According to data from Exceltur, city hotels in Spain enjoyed a significant 12% increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) during the second quarter of 2024. This is notably higher than the 8% growth seen in more traditional sun-and-beach destinations.

Top Cities Benefiting from the Increase

Several Spanish cities have particularly benefited from this increase in long-haul tourism. Bilbao, for instance, saw a staggering 27.3% increase in revenue compared to the previous year, making it the fastest-growing city. Alicante followed closely with a 25% rise, while Madrid experienced a solid 20% increase. Other cities such as Sevilla, Córdoba, and Santiago also reported impressive gains of over 15%.

The impact of American tourists is especially evident in Madrid, which attracted 27% of the 1.1 million U.S. visitors that came to Spain last spring. These tourists are also high spenders, with an average daily expenditure of 272 euros, double that of British, French, or German visitors.

Latin American Travelers Contribute to the Boom

Latin American tourists, particularly from Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile, have also played a crucial role in the growth of city tourism in Spain. Between March and April of 2024, 257,000 tourists arrived from Mexico, with 62% staying in Madrid. Their average daily spending was equally impressive, at 263 euros per person.

Argentina and Colombia also contributed significantly, with a combined total of nearly 340,000 tourists during this period. Madrid was once again the primary destination for these travelers, further confirming its position as a hub for long-haul tourism.

Record-High Travel Predictions for Summer 2024

This summer 2024 promises to be another record-breaking season for Spain’s tourism sector. According to Turespaña, 12.6 million seats on international flights are expected in August alone, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.

Latin America is also seeing strong growth, with a 10% increase in flight capacity from Mexico, expected to bring 114,000 visitors during the summer. Traditional European markets like the UK and Germany continue to grow steadily, but the most significant increases are coming from outside Europe.

Eastern Europe: A Growing Market

Interestingly, the rise in tourism isn’t limited to the Americas. Eastern European countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic are also contributing to the growth in Spain’s city hotel sales. In August 2024, over 278,000 seats are expected on flights from Poland, a 41% increase from the previous year. Similarly, the Czech Republic is expected to contribute 115,000 passengers, representing a 30% increase.

Experts attribute this rise to the strong economic performance of these countries in recent years and the diversion of travel away from Russia due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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