Netherlands Joins UK, US, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Other Countries as a Leading Source Market for Spain Tourism with a Record Tourist Arrivals Across Catalonia, the Canary Islands, Andalusia, Galicia, Valencia, and Other Destinations

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Netherlands contributed 1.03 million visitors and joined the UK (4.14 million), France (2.23 million), Germany (2.01 million), Italy (1.21 million), Belgium (656,327), and the US (704,579) as leading source markets for Spain tourism. Their demand helped drive record arrivals across Catalonia, the Canary Islands, Andalusia, Galicia, Valencia, and other destinations. Beyond the Netherlands, strong demand from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the United States helped Spain attract record international arrivals during January–May 2026. Catalonia, the Canary Islands, Andalusia, Galicia, and Valencia continued benefiting from diversified source markets, extensive air connectivity, and sustained leisure travel demand, reinforcing Spain’s position as one of Europe’s most resilient and competitive tourism destinations.

Catalonia: Spain’s Leading International Tourism Powerhouse in January–May 2026

During January–May 2026, Catalonia remained Spain’s top-performing tourism destination with 7.65 million international visitors, supported by strong air connectivity and a highly diversified visitor base. The region attracted the vast majority of travelers for leisure purposes, accounting for 4.19 million holiday visitors, while business travel contributed 583,613 arrivals. France remained the leading source market with 1.04 million visitors, followed by the Rest of Europe (833,330), the Rest of the World (774,009), Italy (445,570), the United Kingdom (421,136), and the United States (400,849).

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Canary Islands: Europe’s Premier Island Destination in January–May 2026

Between January and May 2026, the Canary Islands welcomed 6.26 million international visitors, reaffirming their status as one of Europe’s most sought-after year-round tourism destinations. Nearly every visitor arrived by air, with airports accounting for 99.58% of arrivals, while leisure tourism generated an impressive 5.54 million visitors. The United Kingdom remained the dominant source market with 1.95 million visitors, followed by Germany (981,824), the Rest of Europe (668,732), and the Nordic countries (624,577).

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Andalusia: Strong Holiday Demand Drives Growth in January–May 2026

From January to May 2026, Andalusia attracted 4.97 million international visitors, making it one of Spain’s most popular tourism regions. The destination benefited from its mix of Mediterranean beaches, cultural landmarks, and historic cities, with 89.5% of visitors arriving by air. Leisure travel dominated demand, generating 3.55 million arrivals, while business and personal travel contributed a combined 398,200 visitors. The United Kingdom remained Andalusia’s largest international source market with 884,068 visitors, followed by the Nordic countries (407,076), the Rest of Europe (404,634), France (381,051), and Germany (359,489).

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Galicia: Portugal Leads Visitor Arrivals in January–May 2026

During January–May 2026, Galicia welcomed 1.11 million international visitors, distinguishing itself from Spain’s major tourism destinations through its strong road connectivity and cross-border travel flows. Unlike many regions that rely heavily on air access, 66.57% of visitors arrived by road, reflecting Galicia’s close ties with neighboring Portugal. Portugal overwhelmingly dominated as Galicia’s largest source market with 227,054 visitors, far ahead of France (28,586), the United Kingdom (26,378), Germany (21,999), and the United States (20,901).

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Valencian Community: Diverse European Demand Fuels Tourism in January–May 2026

In the first five months of 2026 (January–May), the Valencian Community recorded 3.58 million international visitors, supported by strong leisure demand and extensive air connectivity. Airports handled 85.53% of arrivals, while leisure tourism generated 2.91 million visitors. The United Kingdom remained the leading source market with 851,850 visitors, followed by France (499,896), the Rest of Europe (476,437), Italy (272,944), and the Nordic countries (261,169).

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Europe Dominates Spain’s International Tourism Demand in January–May 2026

The United Kingdom remained Spain’s largest international source market during January–May 2026, generating a combined 4.14 million visitors across Catalonia, the Canary Islands, Andalusia, Galicia, and the Valencian Community. The broader Rest of Europe category followed with 2.40 million visitors, while France contributed 2.23 million arrivals and Germany delivered 2.01 million visitors, highlighting the continued strength of European travel demand. The Nordic countries accounted for 1.41 million visitors, while Italy generated 1.21 million arrivals. The Netherlands surpassed the one-million mark with 1.03 million visitors. Among long-haul markets, the United States contributed 704,579 visitors, outperforming Belgium’s 656,327 arrivals. Collectively, these nine key source markets generated more than 15.8 million visitors, reinforcing Europe’s position as the foundation of Spain’s tourism economy while demonstrating the growing contribution of North American travelers.

Top 9 Source Markets Across Spain’s Five Leading Destinations (January–May 2026)

Ranking of the Largest Source Markets

The Netherlands joins the UK, US, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and other countries as a leading source market for Spain tourism, helping drive record tourist arrivals across Catalonia, the Canary Islands, Andalusia, Galicia, Valencia, and other destinations through strong leisure demand, extensive air connectivity, and diversified international visitor flows.

In conclusion, the Netherlands joins the UK, US, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and other countries as a leading source market for Spain tourism, helping generate record tourist arrivals across Catalonia, the Canary Islands, Andalusia, Galicia, Valencia, and other destinations. The reason behind this growth lies in strong leisure demand, extensive air connectivity, diversified international visitor flows, and the enduring appeal of Spain’s beaches, cultural attractions, islands, historic cities, and year-round tourism offerings. Together, these leading source markets have reinforced Spain’s position as one of Europe’s strongest tourism economies, supporting visitor growth, hospitality demand, airline connectivity, and tourism spending across multiple regions during January–May 2026.