Easter 2025 offered a revealing snapshot of the evolving dynamics within Spain’s tourism and hospitality sector. With the holiday period falling later in the calendar and supported by substantial public investment, the national outlook pointed to continued momentum in post-pandemic recovery. While aggregate figures showed increases in international arrivals, tourist spending, and job creation, performance at the city level remained uneven. Cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Valencia demonstrated varied results shaped by local events, infrastructure support, weather conditions, and regulatory changes.
National overview: Easter 2025 tourism performance and sector developments
During a conference, the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, presented the Tourism Situation Report, a summary of the sector's development in recent years that reflected progress in transforming the tourism model.
Based on this report the 2025 Easter was expected to be another record-breaking period for tourism in the country, building on the strong performance seen in the early months of the year. The forecasts indicated that international tourist spending was set to exceed €20 billion during Easter, representing a 13% increase compared to 2024. Additionally, Spain was expected to welcome 15 million international tourists, marking a 9% growth over the previous year. The Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, attributed this success to the public policies implemented in recent years, supported by an investment of €3.4 billion in European funds.
With Easter falling in April in 2025 (three weeks later than in 2024), Jordi Hereu emphasized that the timing would result in higher hotel occupancy and increased spending. This shift in the holiday period reflected the sector's achievement in recovering fully from the pandemic and shifting towards more qualitative growth, as shown by the rise in destination spending. Furthermore, the tourism employment sector also saw positive results, with nearly 25,000 new jobs added in March, marking a record for the month. This job growth was accompanied by an increase in job stability, with fewer temporary contracts than in previous years.
Barcelona: Volatility and strength amid seasonal shifts
During Easter 2025, Barcelona's hotel performance showcased notable fluctuations, reflecting both the inherent volatility of the holiday period and the city's resilience as a major tourist destination. According to MKG Consulting, the city experienced significant RevPAR variations, starting with a drop of -4.05% on April 12, 2025, before...
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