Andalusia is looking forward to a promising summer in 2025, with forecasts indicating a significant increase in tourist numbers, more jobs, and higher revenues. The region is solidifying its position as a top travel destination in Southern Europe, driven by a sustainable tourism model and increasing appeal to international visitors.
The Junta de Andalucía has announced its optimistic expectations for the upcoming summer season, spanning from July to September. The usual number of domestic tourists is anticipated, while a remarkable growth in foreign visitors is projected.
Tourism Minister Bernal: “Good News for Andalusia”
Arturo Bernal, Minister of Tourism and Andalusia Abroad, expressed positive views on the developments in Cádiz on Monday. He emphasized that the tourism sector “always brings good news for Andalusia” and that the current successes are due to the region’s commitment to a sustainable tourism model. Success is particularly measured by rising revenues and growing employment.
Impressive Figures: More Tourists, Overnight Stays, and Revenue
The calculations by the Junta de Andalucía are impressive:
- 12.8 million tourists are expected between July and September – an increase of 1.5% compared to summer 2024.
- Hotel overnight stays are projected to rise to 20.7 million, a 3% increase from the previous year.
Should these estimates prove true, the tourism industry will generate revenues of over 9,000 million euros, a 3.1% increase from last summer. This is a clear sign that Andalusia is increasingly attracting more affluent tourists who are willing to spend more during their stay. In summer 2024, the average daily expenditure was already 84.71 euros, an increase of 7.7% compared to 2023.
National and International Visitors: A Win-Win Situation
The origin of visitors plays a crucial role in revenue. Foreign tourists generally spend more than domestic guests: In summer 2024, these expenditures were 129,17 euros per day for international visitors, compared to 83,24 euros for Spanish tourists, according to data from the Institute of Statistics and Cartography of Andalusia.
The forecasts for 2025 are also optimistic in this regard:
- The share of the national market is expected to remain at 8.5 million visitors (0.5% growth).
- The arrival of international guests will grow by 5% to 4.3 million.
All provinces of Andalusia show growth compared to summer 2024. Minister Bernal particularly highlighted the “good performance of the inland provinces.” Córdoba and Jaén will see growth above the Andalusian average. This confirms the strategy of extending tourist activity in summer “beyond the coast” and thus allowing “more areas to benefit from tourist activity.”
Year-Round Occupancy and Sustainability
An important indicator of the efficiency of the Andalusian tourism model is the distribution of tourists throughout the year. The index measuring tourist concentration has been reduced from 0.27 to 0.12 in four years – with zero representing the best result. At the end of 2024, this value was “three times lower than that of the Balearic Islands,” emphasized the head of tourism. This means that Andalusia successfully manages to distribute tourists throughout the year and better manage the reception capacities of its municipalities. This contributes to sustainability and relieves pressure on hotspots during peak season.
Positive Impact on the Labor Market
Employment data are also promising. In the best-case scenario, the Junta expects the creation of 501,000 jobs, representing a 6.4% increase compared to last summer. This underscores the importance of tourism as a driver for the local economy. In short, according to the Minister: “an excellent tourist summer.”
Improved Air Connectivity
Andalusian airports are also preparing for the influx. Over 35,600 flights are expected, an increase of 5.5%. These flights will offer over 6.3 million seats, representing a growth of 5.8%. Particularly encouraging is the increase in flights from the United Kingdom, which will rise by more than 11%. Bernal also highlighted the “remarkable growth” in markets such as the Netherlands and Poland.
Minister Bernal concluded: “We will have a summer where tourism will create more prosperity, employment, and well-being for Andalusians, with revenues that will return to our communities by taking care of our natural and cultural heritage environment for the benefit of our residents, who are essential actors in the tourism ecosystem.”
