British holiday makers spent a total of 2,234 million euros in the first two months of 2024, an increase of 31.57% compared to the same months of 2023. In total, inbound tourists to Spain spent 13,296 million euros during the same period, an increase of 25.66% from 2023.

British holidaymakers are also staying longer in Spain. The average trip duration in January and February of 2024 was 8.2 days, a 7% increase from 2023.

Meanwhile, the average expenditure per British holidaymaker trip for January and February 2023 is 1,260 euros, marking a 13.03% increase compared to 2023. The daily average expenditure per British holidaymaker is 153 euros, a 5.67% increase from 2023.

When compared to other countries of residence, holiday makers from the United Kingdom were the highest total spending demographic in Spain (2,234 million euros), followed by holidaymakers from Germany at 1,573 million euros.

This information was provided by the National Institute of Statistics in Spain. Learn more here

Spain has, once again, been recognised as the destination with the most Blue Flag accredited beaches internationally.  

Blue Flag, an international certification awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education, recognises beaches, marinas and boats that are following the FEE’s sustainability guidelines. Meeting and upholding a set of rigorous standards pertaining to the environment, education, safety, and inclusivity are prerequisites to attaining the Blue Flag status. For over 35 years, Blue Flag has been the benchmark for sustainable beach and marine tourism, and the organisation is a key contributor towards the UN’S 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Being certified as a Blue Flag beach highlights an area or team’s commitment to meeting sustainability credentials and showcases their dedication to working towards sustainable environment management.

Today, many beachgoers are more aware than ever of the environmental impact that human action is having on coastal and marine environments. Beaches with a Blue Flag accreditation are a clear indicator to visitors and locals that measures are being taken to limit the environmental impact of tourism in that area. As a result, the Blue Flag label is trusted by millions of travellers across the globe. 

Since the accreditation began in 1987, Spain has received recognition for 729 of its beaches, with 10 beaches having acquired their Blue Flag for the first time and 22 beaches having regained their title in 2023.  

Five of the top Spanish Blue Flag accredited beaches are: 

1. Playa El Far de Sant Cristófol, near Barcelona  
2. La Breña, Córdoba 
3. Torre Derribada, Murcia 
4. Jover, Tenerife  
5. Cancho del Fresno, Cáceres, Extremadura 

Other sustainability findings include:

• Younger travellers were more likely than their older peers to consider the sustainability of their travel important. 18–24-year-olds are the most sustainably conscious of all respondents when considering the selection of their holiday destination (94%), travel relating to the holiday (94%), and places to go on holiday (94%). In comparison, just three quarters (75%) of those aged 65+ considered sustainability when selecting a destination for a holiday (75%), travel related to the holiday (71%), and places to go during the trip (77%).
• Scotland UK region which values sustainable destinations the most. 90% of respondents in Scotland said sustainability was important or very important when selecting a destination to go on holiday.
• Bristol is the city which values sustainable forms of transport the most (89%).
• Sustainable activities important to hikers and surfers the most, whereas those who relax on the beach the least. 86% of those who prefer to relax on the beach care about selecting sustainable activities during their holiday. Those who prefer active outdoor activities such as hiking (93%) and watersports (92%) value sustainability the most.

Spain findings include:

• Brits feel it is easier to holiday sustainably in Spain in comparison to its European neighbors. 66% of respondents said it’s easy to have a sustainable holiday in Spain, compared to France (65%), Germany (59%) and Italy (57%).
• Despite this, just one in eight (12%) of respondents could provide an example of the measures Spain as a travel destination has taken to become more sustainable. Over a third (34%) were unsure, and over half (54%) were not aware of any sustainable measures enacted by Spain.
• Almost three quarters (73%) of those aged 18-34 think it is easy to holiday sustainably in Spain.  24% of the age bracket said it was very easy to holiday in Spain sustainably, with 49% saying it was quite easy. Comparatively, less than half (49%) of respondents over 65 thought it was easy to holiday sustainably in Spain.