Spain Starts 2026 with Solid Hotel Tourism Growth: Official INE Data
Spain's Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) published on February 24, 2026 the provisional data for the Hotel Tourism Short-Term Trends for January 2026. The figures confirm the sustained growth trend of the Spanish hotel sector, which closed 2025 with historic records in overnight stays, revenues and international visitors.
The data reveals that Spanish hotel establishments recorded more than 17.3 million overnight stays in January 2026, representing an increase of 3.4% compared to the same month in 2025. This growth is even more significant considering that January 2025 had already shown a 2.5% increase over 2024, demonstrating a consistent upward trajectory.
For those planning to invest, work or live in Spain, these indicators are fundamental: hotel tourism accounts for approximately 12% of Spain's GDP and generates more than 2.8 million direct and indirect jobs in the country.
Hotel Overnight Stays: Residents vs. Non-Residents
The analysis by traveler origin shows distinct dynamics between domestic and international tourism:
| Segment | Annual Variation (%) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Total | +3.4% | Over 17.3 million overnight stays |
| Residents in Spain | +2.5% | Moderate but stable growth |
| Non-residents | +3.8% | International tourism leads growth |
International tourism continues to be the main driver of the Spanish hotel sector. The growth difference between residents (+2.5%) and non-residents (+3.8%) indicates that Spain maintains strong attractiveness in the global tourism market, especially during the European winter season.
Main Tourist Destinations: Who Goes Where?
Preferred Destinations for Spanish Residents
Domestic tourists concentrated their stays in three main autonomous communities:
| Position | Autonomous Community | % of Total Overnight Stays |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Andalusia | 17.8% |
| 2nd | Community of Madrid | 15.2% |
| 3rd | Catalonia | 14.4% |
Andalusia remains the favorite destination for Spaniards in winter, benefiting from the milder climate in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Madrid, as the capital and business center, shows consistent demand throughout the year.
Preferred Destinations for International Tourists
| Position | Autonomous Community | % of Total Overnight Stays |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Canary Islands | 48.9% |
| 2nd | Catalonia | 15.0% |
| 3rd | Andalusia | 12.5% |
The most impressive figure is the absolute dominance of the Canary Islands, which account for nearly half (48.9%) of all international tourist overnight stays in January. This phenomenon is due to the subtropical climate of the islands, which attracts Northern Europeans during the harsh winter in their home countries.
Key Tourist Zones and Points
Tenerife recorded the highest number of overnight stays by tourist zone, exceeding 2.2 million. The tourist points with the most overnight stays were:
- Madrid — capital and urban and business tourism center
- Barcelona — second largest urban and cultural hub
- San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Gran Canaria) — winter sun and beach destination
Source Markets: Where Do the Tourists Come From?
The composition of source markets in January 2026 reflects consolidated patterns of Spanish tourism:
| Country of Origin | % of Total Non-Resident Overnight Stays |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 22.9% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 14.4% |
| 🇫🇷 France | 5.9% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 5.4% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 4.2% |
The United Kingdom remains the largest source market for Spain, with nearly a quarter of all international overnight stays. Germany ranks second with 14.4%, followed by France, Italy and the Netherlands. Together, these five markets account for more than 52% of all foreign overnight stays.
For those considering obtaining European citizenship and settling in Europe, Spain offers significant opportunities in the tourism sector, which absorbs skilled labor in hospitality, gastronomy, events and tourism management.
Hotel Occupancy: Detailed Regional Analysis
The hotel occupancy rate is one of the most relevant indicators for investors and sector professionals:
| Indicator | Value | Variation vs. Jan/2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall occupancy rate (beds) | 48.0% | +1.1% |
| Weekend occupancy rate | 53.2% | +1.5% |
| Highest regional occupancy | Canary Islands: 73.1% | National leader |
Occupancy Records by Zone and Tourist Point
In terms of tourist zones, Southern Gran Canaria achieved the highest occupancy rates:
- Bed occupancy: 80.3%
- Weekend occupancy: 80.1%
Among individual tourist points:
- Mogán (Gran Canaria): highest bed occupancy — 80.2%
- San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Gran Canaria): highest weekend occupancy — 79.8%
These exceptional figures in the Canary Islands reflect the archipelago's privileged position as a winter destination in Europe, with average temperatures of 20-22°C while the rest of the continent faces the cold.
Hotel Price Index (HPI): Price Trends
The Hotel Price Index rose 4.3% in January 2026 compared to the same month in 2025. This moderate increase indicates that hotels continue to have pricing power, sustained by growing demand.
| Autonomous Community | HPI Variation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Aragon | +9.7% | Highest national increase |
| National average | +4.3% | Widespread growth |
| Balearic Islands | -2.6% | Only significant decrease |
The price drop in the Balearics (-2.6%) contrasts with the national trend and may be related to seasonality: January is a very low demand month in this Mediterranean archipelago, unlike the Canary Islands which benefit from winter tourism.
By hotel category, four-star establishments recorded the highest price increase (+5.3%), signaling an upgrade trend in the tourism consumption profile.
Hotel Profitability: ADR and RevPAR in Detail
Hotel profitability indicators are essential for investors and sector managers. In January 2026, the data shows consistent growth:
| Indicator | Value (€) | Variation vs. Jan/2025 |
|---|---|---|
| ADR (Average Daily Rate) | €116.0 | +3.0% |
| RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) | €65.9 | +3.4% |
ADR and RevPAR by Hotel Category
| Category | ADR (€) | RevPAR (€) |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Five Stars | €265.9 | €152.9 |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Four Stars | €119.6 | €76.8 |
| ⭐⭐⭐ Three Stars | €90.4 | €52.2 |
Five-star hotels maintain a significant ADR difference (€265.9 vs. €119.6 for four-star), reflecting the premium segmentation of the Spanish market. The RevPAR for five-star hotels (€152.9) is nearly double that of four-star hotels (€76.8).
Profitability Highlights: Tourist Points
- Highest ADR: Naut Aran (Catalan Pyrenees) — €253.1 — premium ski and mountain destination
- Highest RevPAR: Adeje (Tenerife) — €179.0 — combination of high occupancy with elevated rates
The fact that Adeje leads the national RevPAR demonstrates how the Canary Islands manage to combine very high occupancy rates with competitive rates, generating the best revenue per available room in all of Spain.
Context: Spain Broke Records in 2025
The January 2026 data should be interpreted in the context of a historic 2025 for Spanish tourism:
- 97 million international tourists visited Spain in 2025, a new record
- International tourist spending exceeded €134.7 billion, growth of 6.8% compared to 2024
- Annual hotel overnight stays grew 2.9% in 2025, also a record
- The tourism sector contributed approximately 12.2% of Spain's GDP
This context of sustained growth makes Spain an increasingly attractive destination for tourism sector professionals and investors, including those with European citizenship or in the process of obtaining it.
What Do These Data Mean for Those Who Want to Live in Spain?
For those considering emigrating to Spain, hotel tourism indicators have direct implications:
Employment Opportunities
The consistent growth of the Spanish hotel sector creates opportunities in various areas:
- Hotel and tourism management — demand for qualified professionals in hotel administration
- Gastronomy — high-quality hotel restaurants
- Digital tourism marketing — online promotion of destinations and establishments
- Tourism technology — booking systems, revenue management and guest experience
Investment Opportunities
With an average ADR of €116 and RevPAR of €65.9 in January (a typically low month), the Spanish hotel sector presents attractive profitability. Regions like the Canary Islands, with occupancy above 73%, offer particularly interesting returns.
Tourism-Related Visas and Residency
Tourism sector professionals can benefit from various legal pathways to reside in Spain:
- D1 employed work visa — for contracts with Spanish hotel companies
- D1 self-employed work visa — for entrepreneurs in the tourism sector
- D3 highly qualified worker visa — for hotel managers and directors
- D8 digital nomad visa — for consultants and remote professionals linked to tourism
Methodology: How Is This Data Collected?
The INE uses three integrated surveys to produce Hotel Tourism Short-Term Trends data:
- HOS (Hotel Occupancy Survey): measures hotel supply and demand — sample of ~8,000 establishments in winter and ~10,000 in summer
- HPI (Hotel Price Index): measures the monthly evolution of applied prices
- HPIS (Hotel Sector Profitability Indicators): calculates ADR and RevPAR
Sampling is stratified by province, category and establishment size, being exhaustive for five-star hotels. Data is collected during seven consecutive days of each month, randomly selected so that all establishments together cover the entire month.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many hotel overnight stays did Spain have in January 2026?
Spain recorded more than 17.3 million overnight stays in hotel establishments in January 2026, an increase of 3.4% compared to January 2025, according to provisional data from the INE.
What was the hotel occupancy rate in Spain in January 2026?
The average hotel occupancy rate was 48.0% (an increase of 1.1% compared to the same month in 2025). On weekends, occupancy rose to 53.2%. The Canary Islands led with 73.1% occupancy.
What was the average ADR of Spanish hotels in January 2026?
The ADR (Average Daily Rate) was €116.0, representing an increase of 3.0% compared to January 2025. Five-star hotels had an ADR of €265.9.
What was the average RevPAR in January 2026?
The RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) was €65.9, with an increase of 3.4%. The tourist point with the highest RevPAR was Adeje (Tenerife), with €179.0.
Where do the tourists visiting Spain come from?
The United Kingdom is the main source market with 22.9% of international overnight stays, followed by Germany (14.4%), France (5.9%), Italy (5.4%) and the Netherlands (4.2%).
What are the most popular destinations for international tourists in Spain?
The Canary Islands lead with 48.9% of non-resident overnight stays, followed by Catalonia (15.0%) and Andalusia (12.5%). Tenerife recorded more than 2.2 million overnight stays.
How did hotel prices change in January 2026?
The Hotel Price Index rose 4.3% compared to January 2025. Aragon had the highest increase (+9.7%) and the Balearic Islands the only significant decrease (-2.6%). Four-star hotels led the increase by category (+5.3%).
Is Spain a good destination for hotel sector investment?
With 97 million international tourists in 2025 (record), tourist spending of €134.7 billion and consistent growth in profitability indicators (ADR and RevPAR), Spain presents itself as one of the most attractive hotel markets in Europe.
How can I work in the hotel sector in Spain?
Professionals can access the Spanish hotel labor market through D1 visas (work), D3 (highly qualified) or by obtaining European citizenship (Italian, Spanish or Portuguese). Consult our advisory services for more information.
Primary source: INE — Hotel Tourism Short-Term Trends, January 2026 (provisional data). Published February 24, 2026. Article prepared by the Studio Cidadania editorial team based on official data from Spain's National Statistics Institute.
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