Spain’s travel and tourism sector is forecast to contribute more than €269 billion to the economy in 2026. WTTC’s October 23 forecast raises expected sector growth to 4.1%, compared with its previous estimate of 3.7%. These are projections rather than completed annual results.
The revised outlook puts tourism ahead of the 2.7% expansion WTTC projects for Spain’s overall economy. It also exceeds the council’s expected tourism growth of 3.1% across Europe and 2.5% globally, underlining Spain’s relative strength within the international travel market.
International business visitor spending is expected to increase 8.1% this year, adding corporate demand to Spain’s established leisure appeal. That is a spending forecast, not a prediction that the number of business travelers will rise by the same percentage.
The headline €269 billion measures the sector’s wider economic contribution, including activity beyond businesses serving travelers directly. As we explain in our full analysis, it should not be confused with international visitor spending. WTTC estimates that separate measure reached €115.8 billion in 2025.
WTTC also calls for growth to be managed across more destinations and seasons, with residents’ wellbeing central to planning. Its priorities include sustainability, workforce training and digital adoption, particularly for smaller businesses. The outlook pairs a stronger economic forecast with the challenge of distributing tourism’s benefits more widely.
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