Spain’s Tourism Surge from India: 60% Increase in Visitors and Growing Interest in Local Experiences

Spanish tourism from India is booming, with more than 226,000 Indians visiting Spain in 2024, which is a 60% increase from 2022, making it a priority tourism market for Spain. With a growing interest from Indians in Spanish culture, heritage, and experiences, Spanish tourism is pivoting and adopting new strategies in order to serve this segment’s unique needs.

As Spain’s top 10 source markets, India is here to stay. Evidence of this interest, according to Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International (which is responsible for managing visa services for Spain) services is the sharp increase in Indian tourists arriving. This increase in visitation complements other offerings in Spain and strengthens Spain’s position in the Indian market, which is increasingly important for Spain’s tourism strategy.

The Growth Market – Spanish Speaking Countries: Spanish Speaking Countries Market Drives Growth from Indian Passport Holders

In the period 2020-2024, the global pandemic from 2020 is expected to aid accelerate growth of the Indian outbound travel market, with Spain potentially emerging as one of the front runners. Indian traveler visits to Spain is expected to grow at 60% from 2020 to 2024, which illustrates a burgeoning travel appetite to discover the variety and richness of culture Spain offers.

In line with the growing Indian outbound travel market, Turespaña is expected to continue focusing on the Indian market to attract “quality tourists”. The sheer number of Indian tourists arriving to Spain isn’t the only indication of growth; there is a growing shift towards positive Spanish colonial legacy. Spain is a preferred destination for Indian tourists due to higher spending, prolonged visits, and diverse regional travel availability.

Segments of Indian Travelers Visiting Spain

The targeted promotional activities of Spain’s tourism authorities have pinpointed some niches within Indian travelers which these authorities would like to focus on. They are:

Self-Searching Young Travelers (Millennials and Gen Z)

This group yearns for unique and green travel opportunities and authentic cultural immersion in eco-friendly tourism. Spain’s history and varied geography offers potential for this group in forms of untapped travel opportunities like hiking in the Pyrenees, Andalusian cultural heritage, and the lively arts of Madrid and Barcelona.

Affluent Travelers

The luxury travelers from India are captivated by the unique boutique hotels, extravagant lunches, and premium shopping available in Spain. Madrid and Barcelona, console to other numerous luxury attractions, houses deluxe hotels, exquisite cuisine, and marvellous shopping plazas. Still, the these exceptionally wealthy travelers are drawn to Spain for its extravagant vineyards paired with Michelin-starred dining.

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions)

Since Spain is a business and conference center with an outstanding list of convention centers, organized business tourists from India opt for Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Malaga. Along with cultural center Madrid, Barcelona and Seville have favorable business infrastructure. Therefore, the MICE segment from India is likely to grow, and will largely contribute to incentive corporate and incentive travel to help Spain tourism.

Families and Honeymooners

Families and honeymooners spend a great deal of time in Spain, especially in the Balearic Islands and along the Costa Brava. Honeymooners and families appreciate Spain as it is a popular family destination with a great deal of attractions, including theme parks. Families will also appreciate coastal resorts they can go to relax and have fun.

Culture and Heritage

Spanish architecture and the cultural and historic sites within India have a strong appeal. The Alhambra, the Sagrada Familia, and the Prado Museum are popular destinations from India for tourists in architecture, art, and history.

Turespaña’s Focus on Quality Tourism

Turespaña has applied its marketing approach to promote “quality tourism,” characterized by longer visit durations, increased expenditures, and broader exploration of Spain’s territories. The spending pattern of Indian tourists reinforces this approach, as tourists from India strive to forge a deeper understanding of Spain outside its major tourist attractions. To address this, Turespaña has advocated for traveling to off the beaten path places in Spain, which include the Basque Country, Galicia, and Extremadura, and which provide more authentic and distinct travel opportunities.

To support this, Spain’s tourism department still collaborates with regional travel agents, airlines, and accommodation providers in response to the demand of Indian tourists. Through the provision of special packages, Spain seeks to strengthen its competitive advantage for Indian tourists by implementing tailored itineraries and activities targeted to this emerging clientele.

Improved travel accessibility and connectivity

Spain has been able to assist in the development of the air travel link between Spain and India. Flag carriers Iberia and Air India provide direct air connectivity between dividing and Spain and the major cities of India, Delhi and Mumbai to the major cities of Spain, Madrid. In addition to the India-Spain travel link, additional direct flights in the Iberia Air India network facilitate access to additional Spain India travel cities like Barcelona and visa versa. Increased direct flights from India and Spain and reduced travel access times has made Spain tourism more attractive, significantly benefiting the tourism frameworks of these countries.

Spain has also partnered with several travel agencies, travel airlines and tourist boards to facilitate construction of a matrix style travel system for Indian tourists. Turespaña and Promoción de Turismo de España travel agencies focus their advertise attention on Indian tourists making Spain one of their primary travel destinations, ensuring that Spain remains a top-of-mind destination for Indian travelers.

Outlook Concurrently Tourism Progression From India To Spain.

The focus will be on crafting personalized experiences as the tourism flow from India to Spain grows. With both business and leisure travel to Spain sprouting, the tourism sector is set to prosper. Spain has world-class cultural venues and significant travel infrastructure, along with proper advertising, and will remain as one of the foremost destination for Indian tourists in the years to come.