UK Surpasses France and More Markets to Fuel Spain’s Tourism Growth as Hotel Overnight Stays Increase 1.4pc in August 2026

Spain’s hotel overnight stays rose 1.4% in August 2026 as UK travellers led foreign demand. Spain’s hotel industry posted another month of strong summer growth in August 2026, with a jump of 1.4% in the number of hotel overnight stays to more than 48.7 million as tourism continued to boom. The United Kingdom continues to be the largest foreign market for Spain, far ahead of France and other European countries, in terms of international overnight hotel stays. The rise was driven by increased overseas visitors, contributing to higher hotel revenues, as well as the popularity of Spain’s leading tourist destinations.

According to Spain’s hotel tourism data, the growth was mainly supported by non-resident travellers, whose overnight stays increased by 2.8%, while domestic hotel stays by Spanish residents declined by 1.1% during August. The trend confirmed the strong role of international tourism in supporting Spain’s accommodation industry during the peak summer travel period.

International Travellers Push Spain’s Tourism Growth Higher

The latest figures highlight the growing importance of international visitors for Spain’s tourism economy. While domestic travel demand showed a slight decline, overseas visitors continued increasing their hotel stays across major destinations.

During the first eight months of 2026, Spain recorded a 1.5% increase in hotel overnight stays compared with the same period of the previous year. Foreign visitors remained the strongest growth driver, with international hotel nights increasing by 2%, while domestic demand grew more moderately by 0.4%.

The United Kingdom continued to dominate Spain’s international tourism landscape. British travellers represented 25.5% of all hotel overnight stays generated by non-residents in August 2026, making the UK the leading overseas source market.

Germany followed with 14.5%, while France contributed 11.1% of foreign hotel nights. Italy and the Netherlands also remained important markets, accounting for 6.2% and 4.8% respectively.

This strong performance shows that Spain continues to benefit from high international confidence, especially among European travellers seeking Mediterranean beaches, cultural destinations and major city experiences.

Balearic Islands Lead Foreign Tourism Demand Across Spain

Spain’s island destinations remained the biggest attraction for international travellers during August. The Balearic Islands captured 33% of all foreign hotel overnight stays, becoming the leading destination for overseas visitors.

The region’s popularity was supported by its globally recognised holiday destinations, including Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca, which continued attracting millions of international visitors during the summer peak season.

Catalonia ranked second among foreign visitor preferences, accounting for 20.6% of international hotel nights, followed by the Canary Islands with 18.2%.

The distribution of foreign tourism demand showed the continued strength of Spain’s coastal destinations, where beaches, resorts, hospitality infrastructure and international connectivity remain major tourism drivers.

For domestic Spanish travellers, preferences were different. Andalusia remained the top destination, accounting for 24.4% of overnight stays by Spanish residents. Catalonia followed with 14.9%, while the Valencian Community represented 12.8%.

Mallorca Becomes Spain’s Biggest Hotel Tourism Hotspot

Among Spain’s individual tourism areas, Mallorca Island recorded the highest number of hotel overnight stays, exceeding 8.5 million nights in August 2026.

The island continued strengthening its position as one of Europe’s most popular summer destinations, supported by international demand from major European markets.

Other leading tourism points included:

• Barcelona, driven by cultural tourism, business travel and city breaks.
• Madrid, supported by urban tourism and international visitors.
• Calvià, one of Mallorca’s major resort areas.

These destinations demonstrated the wide variety of Spain’s tourism offer, combining coastal holidays, heritage experiences, business travel and city tourism.

Spain Hotel Occupancy Reaches 76.1% During Peak Summer Travel

Hotel occupancy remained strong across Spain during August, with 76.1% of available hotel beds occupied. This represented a 1.1% increase compared with August 2025.

Weekend demand was even stronger, reaching 76.9% occupancy, as travellers continued choosing Spain for summer holidays.

The Balearic Islands recorded the highest regional occupancy rate, reaching 90.3%. Within the islands, Palma-Calvià achieved 91.5% occupancy, while Mallorca reached 89.6% during weekends.

At municipal level, Muro recorded Spain’s highest hotel occupancy rate at 98.2%, showing extremely strong demand in this popular Mallorca destination. Blanes recorded the highest weekend occupancy level at 97.8%.

Hotel Prices Rise as Spain’s Tourism Revenue Expands

Alongside stronger demand, hotel prices continued increasing across Spain. The Hotel Price Index rose 6.3% year-on-year in August 2026, reflecting higher accommodation rates during the busy summer season.

The largest price increase was recorded in Ceuta, where hotel prices climbed by 17.6%. Meanwhile, the Community of Madrid registered a 3.3% decline, making it the region with the most significant decrease.

By hotel category, two and three-star silver establishments recorded the biggest price growth, increasing by 8.6%.

Higher prices contributed to stronger hotel profitability, with revenue indicators showing significant improvement.

Luxury Hotels Record Highest Revenue Levels in Spain

Premium accommodation continued generating the strongest financial results. Five-star hotels recorded the highest average room revenue, followed by four-star and three-star properties.

The municipality of Estepona in Málaga recorded Spain’s highest hotel profitability levels, reaching an average daily rate of €418 per occupied room and a RevPAR of €359.40.

The strong performance highlights the increasing value of Spain’s premium tourism segment, where luxury resorts and high-end hotels continue attracting travellers willing to spend more on accommodation experiences.

Spain’s Tourism Market Strengthens Through International Demand

The August 2026 hotel results underline Spain’s continued position as one of Europe’s strongest tourism destinations. The combination of rising international arrivals, strong hotel occupancy, higher room revenue and growing demand from major European markets has supported continued expansion.

The United Kingdom’s leading contribution to foreign hotel stays demonstrates the importance of British travellers for Spain’s tourism economy. Alongside Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, European markets remain central to Spain’s summer tourism performance.

With destinations such as the Balearic Islands, Mallorca, Andalusia, Catalonia and the Canary Islands continuing to attract millions of visitors, Spain’s tourism sector has maintained strong momentum through the 2026 summer season.

Spain’s growth in hotel tourism accelerated at a faster pace in August 2026 with an increase of 1.4% to 48.7 million overnight stays. This was driven by international demand from UK travellers who overtook France to become the biggest foreign market for Spain in terms of overnight stays and hotel occupancy. Increased numbers of overseas visitors to Spain has resulted in an increase in hotel prices and revenue.

According to the latest numbers, international visitors continue to be at the forefront of expansion in Spain’s hotel industry, driving the country to record higher levels of overnight stays, occupancy rates and overall tourism revenue.