According to the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index, Spain ranked third worldwide, behind Japan and the United States.

In 2025 Spain welcomed 96.8 million tourists, a record that made it the world’s second‑most‑visited country after France. During the first seven months of 2026, the country received 58.1 million international visitors, a 4.6 % rise over the same period in 2025.

The index measures many elements that support sustainable and resilient tourism, including the business environment, safety and health conditions, price competitiveness, air and ground transport infrastructure, tourist services, and natural and cultural resources.

Spain’s tourism strengths are clear: a wide variety of cultural and natural attractions, extensive infrastructure, the world’s second‑largest high‑speed rail network, and a reputation for safety and stability. Yet the index also rewards effective policies and resilience, where other nations may outperform Spain.

Understanding the gap between visitor volume and development scores shows that high tourism traffic alone does not guarantee a top ranking; comprehensive policies and sustainable practices are equally crucial.