Foreign tourists break spending records in Catalonia in March

BarcelonaFewer visitors, but more spending. Catalonia maintains the trend that began in January regarding the arrival of international tourists. According to the latest data from the National Statistics Institute, the flow of foreign visitors fell to 1.29 million, 5.39% less than in the same period last year. The drop occurs despite the favorable situation of the Easter period, which last year was concentrated entirely in April but this year began on March 29. Nevertheless, the tourism sector's business has soared by 13.3%, to 1,637 million euros, nearly 200 million euros more than a year ago.

It should be noted that the relative drop in March 2025 is more moderate when compared to the historical Catalan record: according to the Spanish statistical institute, that of 2026 is the third best historical figure for the Principality in this period, surpassed only by 2025 and 2024. The spending figure has also climbed the historical podium, and in fact, the best March in terms of international tourist investment on record has been registered.

According to INE figures, Catalonia is the third territory in the State in terms of international tourist spending in the third month of the year. Only the Canary Islands, which are close to 2,480 million euros, and Andalusia, with just over 1,700 million, remain above. However, if aggregated data for the first quarter are observed, the Principality climbs to second place, with 17.1% of the total spending by foreign visitors in the State, surpassed again by the Canary Islands (27.7%).

More time in Catalonia

According to INE data, international travelers who landed in the country in the third month of the year have not necessarily been of higher quality than those of the previous year. Spending per person per day, in fact, has remained stable at 223 euros, 1.2% more in year-on-year terms. However, foreign visitors have decided to extend their stays and have decided to stay for practically one more day: if in 2025 each visitor spent 4.8 days in Catalonia, this year they have stayed for about 5.7 days on average.

This extension of stay has caused an increase in tourist spending, according to the tourism spending survey. In this area, only the Community of Madrid has surpassed it, with about 361 euros per person per day, although stays in the center of the Peninsula have been shorter and the flow of travelers more modest. Regarding this trend, Catalonia has reached 1,261 euros per person for the entire trip, 19.75% more than a year earlier. The Catalan tourism sector thus recovers the positive trend in spending rates, after having lost 4.2% of the investment made by visitors in March 2025.